In my specific case, I was looking into travels between Beppu (Japan) and Osaka. There is a direct ferry line, but other routes exist of course (also trains).
I wonder how a ferry and a plane would compare
In my specific case, I was looking into travels between Beppu (Japan) and Osaka. There is a direct ferry line, but other routes exist of course (also trains).
I wonder how a ferry and a plane would compare
Rail is the most carbon efficient land transport, but anything on the water will beat it on emissions.
Assuming both use on board combustion engines, yes. But a train connected to a majority green energy power grid is probably more carbon efficient than most boats.
A ferry or other regular short-run vessel can be electrified too. The tour boats at Niagara falls switched to pure-electric a few years back, and they’re plugged in to recharge during onboarding and off boarding.
For strictly passenger vessels yes, but once large amounts of cargo get involved shipping takes the win every time.