Ratepayers to own new fleet of ferries

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by New Zealand on Air

Auckland Transport has confirmed that Fullers will operate a new fleet of electric ferries, despite concerns raised by an Auckland councillor.

At a recent meeting of the Auckland Council’s transport, resilience and infrastructure committee, AT presented an update on its ferry programme.

AT, which contracts Fullers operated ferry services from downtown Auckland city to Half Moon Bay and Pine Harbour in east Auckland, and to other regional suburbs, has been transitioning towards electric ferries and owning its own fleet of them.

The latest hybrid ferry – the fourth vessel to be confirmed – was contracted to be built for more than $20 million: $12,025,762.00 awarded to Q-West Boat Builders for a build agreement, and $8,038,310.00 to HamiltonJet for an equipment supply agreement.

The total cost for the ferry vessels is being split between the council and the Government, with 49 per cent of the funding coming from the council’s climate action targeted rate, and 51 per cent from Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Acting chief executive at AT, Murray Burt, said work was underway on charging infrastructure for electric ferries.

“We do have four diesel vessels that have been refitted and are now out in operation.

“There are two fully electric vessels under construction and also two diesel electric hybrid vessels under construction,” Burt said.

Councillor Mike Lee asked for confirmation that Fullers would be taking on the contracts to run the new ferries.

“The ratepayers will be paying for the build of these new ferries and the obviously very expensive ancillary work, but those ferries will be managed by Fullers. Is that how it works?” Lee asked.

“What sort of competitive price process did AT engage in before giving this extremely expensive contract to Fullers?”

AT’s public transport and active modes director, Stacey van der Putten, confirmed that Fullers would be operating and managing the new ferry fleet.

“At the time it was a negotiated deal with Fullers. It’s important to note this was also part of bringing in Devonport.

“Devonport had obviously been a commercial exempt service and so a part of that agreement was also bringing Devonport into the public transport realm,” van der Putten said.