Engineering firm ABB has been selected to supply the power, propulsion and automation systems for two hybrid-electric Ro-Pax ferries being built under New Zealand's Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme.

The ferries will be constructed by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for Ferry Holdings Limited, with delivery scheduled for 2029, ABB said in an emailed update on Wednesday. Once in service, they will operate on the 92-km Wellington-Picton route, which serves as a key link in New Zealand's domestic freight network, connecting the North and South Islands for both passengers and cargo.

The 200-metre vessels will feature a fuel-agnostic hybrid-electric power and propulsion system equipped with an 8.2 MWh battery energy storage system, supporting near-zero-emission operations in harbour. Fuel-agnostic designs are intended to allow operators to switch to alternative fuels as they become commercially available, an approach increasingly adopted in ferry newbuilding programmes as the maritime sector works to cut emissions.

Under the contract, ABB will supply four main alternators, equipment for three bow thrusters, and two azipod propulsion units. The vessels will also be fitted with ABB's PEMS power management system and remote diagnostic technology.

The ferries are designed to carry up to 1,530 passengers and 2,400 lane metres of freight, and are intended to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and underwater radiated noise. Deliveries in 2029 will be a milestone to watch as the programme moves toward construction milestones at GSI ahead of the vessels entering service on the Cook Strait route.

Source: Ship & Bunker