Auckland harbour ferries are set to get quieter, cleaner and greener, thanks to today’s $27 million government funding commitment for two new fully-electric ferries.
Minister for Energy and Resources, Megan Woods (pictured) said Auckland Transport will operate the two electric fast ferries across all major inner and mid-harbour services, with the new ferries to provide a pathway for further ferry electrification in the future.
“Today’s ferries contribute about 20% of Auckland’s public transport emissions. These electric ferries promise to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with each electric ferry displacing approximately 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually,” said Dr Woods.
“This project will be a major boost to the rapidly developing maritime clean technology sector in New Zealand and will further upskill the maritime transport sector in New Zealand. This is a boost for our climate goals and our economy, which is especially vital as we continue our economic recovery from COVID-19.
“This Government is committed to supporting low-emission transport options. We’ve invested significantly in on-road electric vehicles and have pledged to decarbonise the public transport bus fleet.”
The Minister said electrifying water transport was a natural next step in making public transport cleaner.
“I’m looking forward to boarding one of Auckland’s first electric ferries once they hit the harbour,” she said.
Climate Change Minister, James Shaw said today’s announcement was another important step on New Zealand’s journey to a low emissions future.
“As a harbour city, getting around by ferry is the norm for many thousands of Aucklanders. Today’s announcement means that instead of fossil fuels powering many of those journeys, people will be getting around in ways that help create a climate-friendly, prosperous future for New Zealand,” he said.
“Next month’s Emissions Reduction Plan will include many more initiatives to cut emissions from transport so that more people across New Zealand have access to low carbon ways of getting around.”
The Auckland ferry project is a collaboration between the Government, Auckland Transport, EV Maritime and boat builders McMullen & Wing.
The ferries are expected to launch in 2024.
The project at a glance:
- Auckland Transport receives a $27 million grant funding from the Government to pay approximately 75% of the costs of constructing two new electric ferries.
- Auckland Transport will own and operate the two electric ferries
- The funding comes from the Infrastructure Reference Group’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
- The ferries have propulsion and control technologies from Hamilton Jet – a leading NZ exporter and innovator in marine propulsion systems.
- Top speed of 25 knots (on par with today’s diesel ferries) with a range of 40km.
