News

Electric ferries to launch at Auckland

Two electric ferries will be introduced to Auckland Harbour for commuters and sightseers.

Auckland Transport will operate the two electric fast ferries across all major inner and mid-harbour services.

Minister for Energy and Resources Dr Megan Woods says the new ferries will provide a pathway for further ferry electrification in the future.

auckland harbour.jpg

“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 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually,” she says.

“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.”

Woods says electrifying water transport is a natural next step in making public transport cleaner.

“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,” she says.

Auckland Transport will receive $27 million in grant funding from the Government to pay approximately 75% of the costs of constructing two new electric ferries. It will own and operate the two electric ferries.

The ferries have propulsion and control technologies from Hamilton Jet – a NZ exporter and innovator in marine propulsion systems. The ferries will have a op speed of 25 knots, on par with today’s diesel ferries with a range of 40km.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw said that with today’s announcement the Government had taken another important step on the 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 says.

“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.

Auckland Transport will operate the two electric fast ferries across all major inner and mid-harbour services.
Minister for Energy and Resources Dr Megan Woods says the new ferries will 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 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually,” she says.
“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.”
Woods says electrifying water transport is a natural next step in making public transport cleaner.

“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,” she says.

Auckland Transport will receive $27 million in grant funding from the Government to pay approximately 75% of the costs of constructing two new electric ferries. It will own and operate the two electric ferries.

The ferries have propulsion and control technologies from Hamilton Jet – a NZ exporter and innovator in marine propulsion systems. The ferries will have a op speed of 25 knots, on par with today’s diesel ferries with a range of 40km.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw said that with today’s announcement the Government had taken another important step on the 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 says.

“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.

Find boats for sale in NZ

 

Photography: Getty Images

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend