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Sydney's First Electric Ferry Trial Begins 2028
18 May
Summary
- First Australian-made electric ferry to trial for 12 months.
- The trial will inform the transition of Sydney's entire ferry fleet.
- Construction begins this year by Tasmanian shipyard Richardson Devine Marine.
Sydney's ferry services are set for a significant transformation with the upcoming trial of its first Australian-made electric ferry. This 24-metre vessel, designed in Sydney and built in Tasmania, is slated for a 12-month trial beginning in 2028. The trial's success will guide the broader transition of the city's 40 diesel-powered ferries to electric or hydrogen alternatives by 2035.
The initiative, though delayed from an earlier projected start of 2026, aligns with the New South Wales government's commitment to achieving net zero emissions across public transport by 2035. Construction by Richardson Devine Marine is scheduled to commence later this year. Testing will rigorously assess the ferry's reliability and charging systems in real-world conditions.
Initially, the electric ferry is expected to serve a new route to the Sydney Fish Market, which opened earlier this year without direct ferry access. While hundreds of electric buses are already in operation as part of a larger fleet replacement plan, the ferry trial's outcome is crucial for future investment in additional electric vessels.
