E-ferry launches soon

New Zealand’s first electric passenger ferry is in the water ready for sea trials before an expected official launch.

Built by Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo) for capital ferry company East By West, it’s the first fully electric high performance passenger ferry in the Southern Hemisphere.

The vessel was to be launched on September 9 but that’s no longer happening due to the time frame for safety systems testing, sea trials and commissioning. A new launch date will be advised.

The carbonfibre 19-metre, 135 passenger ferry will do a round trip service in Wellington Harbour, taking people from the CBD to Days Bay and Matiu/Somes Island.

East by West managing director Jeremy Ward says while an electric boat’s quiet hum is a more pleasurable experience for passengers, the project is driven by the company’s desire to take climate action.

“Our two other diesel ferries use about 250,000 litres of fuel a year between them, it’s not sustainable for the planet and I knew electrification was the answer,” Ward explains.

“I was surprised to discover we were the first in New Zealand to be doing it, but we didn’t let that hold us back.”

Work on the ferry began in 2018, with the ambitious project originally scheduled to launch in mid-2020 but impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are the first in the southern hemisphere to have taken a vessel of this kind off the drawing boards and onto the water,” says WEBBCo managing director Fraser Foote, whose company was formed to build the ferry.

“Our collaborative approach with a team of leading NZ maritime experts alongside our experienced in-house build team was key to this, and we’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

Light-weighting and composites experts Gurit developed a composite solution which offered not only structural integrity but also manufacturing efficiencies.

“Our local team of engineers and technicians are excited to see the innovations of the whole build and design team come to life,” Gurit Asia Pacific engineering head says Tony Stanton.

“This may be a first for NZ – but it certainly won’t be the only one. We see great potential for commercially operated electric vessels throughout NZ waterways.”

New Zealand-based designers of high efficiency vessels SSC Marine provided the naval architecture  and design coordination.

“This is a huge achievement by all involved,” director and naval architect Christian Stimson says.

“The ground-breaking and complex requirements of this project was not easy to execute, but the result is outstanding, and we’re pleased to say she is floating precisely on her marks.”

New Zealand electrotechnology company McKay provided the electrical scope, including the electrical engineering, electric propulsion and energy storage.

“It is great to see New Zealand companies come together to deliver such a revolutionary first for the Southern Hemisphere.,” McKay managing director Lindsay Faithfull says.

Partner Meridian Energy chief executive Neal Barclay says. Meridian is proud to lend its experience and energy to such a ground-breaking project that proves the potential for the electrification of transport to disrupt the status quo and improve New Zealanders’ lives through building climate resilience.

Other companies involved in the project include specialist consultancy firm Retyna and design specialists Kit Carlier Design.

East by West and WEBBCo acknowledge the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), Greater Wellington and Callaghan Innovation for their funding support.