Source: Boat builders eye South Bank as central hub for electric ferries
- Brisbane’s South Bank CityCat terminal could become a primary stop and recharging hub for electric ferries.
- Boat-building companies from Auckland and Brisbane plan to collaborate on battery-powered ferries for Brisbane River.
- The ferry services would be divided into upstream and downstream routes to optimize battery use.
- EV Maritime, founded in 2019, is leading in building electric ferries and reducing harbors’ carbon footprint.
- Brisbane’s current fleet of diesel-powered CityCats emitted 5728 tonnes of carbon in 2021-22.
- Lightweight fiber-composite ferries are proposed, offering benefits like lower power usage, less wash, and longer lifespan.
- Despite higher initial costs, electric ferries prove cost-effective due to lower maintenance and fuel expenses over 15 years.
- The RACQ supports transitioning to electric ferries, aligning with Brisbane’s goal of a carbon-neutral 2032 Olympics.
- The plan includes making South Bank the main stop with charging facilities for emission-free ferry services.
- CityCat journeys exceeded 2.1 million trips in the 2022-23 fiscal year.