Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has today announced Sydney’s six new ferries will be Australian-made, with the first to be on the Harbour by the end of next year. Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the ferries which will carry up to 400 customers each and operate in the Inner Harbour.
“These are the first new vessels in the Sydney Ferries fleet since 2001, and are a major step forward in the NSW Government’s plans to modernise and expand the ferry network,” Mr Constance said. “From the outside they will look similar to the very popular First Fleet vessels, but there will be improved customer features including more spacious outdoor viewing areas, 87 extra seats and an additional large, walk-around deck.”
The first new Inner Harbour ferry is expected to be in service during the busy summer holidays, with the remaining delivered progressively throughout 2017. The ferries will travel the Inner Harbour routes, from Watsons Bay in the east to Cockatoo Island in the west, and stopping at the new Barangaroo wharf. The vessels will include Wi-Fi access, luggage and bicycle storage areas, real-time passenger information, tables and charging stations for electronic devices. Incat is renowned internationally for designing and building high quality, environmentally friendly and efficient vessels. They have just built two new ferries to operate on the River Thames in London, starting next month, with other vessels in service in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
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