Plans unveiled to build Australia’s first electric passenger ferry

Brisbane-based shipbuilder Aus Ships Group has announced plans to construct Australia’s first electric passenger ferry, currently under development and expected to be operational by the end of the year. The 18-metre vessel will accommodate up to 80 passengers and will be powered by a twin installation of Volvo Penta’s IPS450E electric propulsion systems. This setup combines a substantial 460 kilowatt-hour battery pack with solar panels, marking a significant step towards sustainable marine transport in the region. The ferry is designed not only as a functional passenger vessel but also as a demonstration platform to showcase the viability of electric propulsion in maritime environments. To ensure operational range and reliability, it will include a Volvo Penta D4 marine diesel engine serving as a range extender. Philippa Wood, head of Volvo Penta Oceania, emphasised that the project aims to validate an integrated solution that balances efficiency, performance, and quieter operation, leveraging decades of marine engineering experience in a new electric format. Aus Ships Group, which has previously built Brisbane’s CityCats ferries, is supported by a $2 million grant from the Australia-Singapore Low Emissions Technologies initiative. This funding, provided by both the Australian and Singaporean governments and administered by the CSIRO and Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, underlines the strategic importance of the project. Tommy Ericson, director of Aus Ships, described the ferry as a pivotal development for Australia’s marine industry, setting a scalable precedent for future electric passenger vessels across the region. The collaboration between Aus Ships and Volvo Penta reflects a broader commitment to reducing emissions and advancing clean technology within the maritime sector. The project is expected to provide valuable insights into the practicalities of electric propulsion, potentially accelerating the adoption of similar technologies in Australia’s waterways. As the ferry moves towards commissioning, it represents both a technological milestone and a catalyst for sustainable innovation in passenger ferry services.