Echo Marine Group has selected EV Maritime to deliver electrical systems integration for five zero-emission ferries destined for the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.
EV Maritime has been appointed by Australian shipbuilder Echo Marine Group to provide electric propulsion systems integration for five new battery-electric fast ferries being built for the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA).
The 24-metre high-speed ferries are being constructed as part of the METRONET on Swan Ferry Service Expansion, representing the largest investment in the expansion of Perth’s ferry network.
Echo Marine Group secured the A$66 million contract to design and build the five-vessel fleet, which will become Western Australia’s first fully electric ferry service.
Under the agreement, EV Maritime will deliver the electrical systems integration package and undertake engineering for several key mechanical systems, supporting the development of the next-generation zero-emission vessels.
The ferries have been designed by Australian naval architecture specialist One2three Naval Architects and are intended to provide a cleaner, more sustainable public transport solution for Perth’s growing ferry network. EV Maritime will be responsible for electrical systems integration as well as engineering of some key mechanical systems.
EV Maritime’s business model is to de-risk procurement for local government, operators and industry by developing and proving standardized technology platforms for high-performance electric vessels.
The role in the Perth project builds on the success of their first two “EVM200” 24-metre electric passenger ferries, which were built for Auckland Transport. EV Maritime was responsible for all aspects of design, engineering and system integration for these 200-passenger carbon fibre vessels, which each carry up to 200 passengers and are amongst the fastest fully-electric ferries in the world.
In contrast to the Auckland vessels, which are built to a standardised platform design, the client’s requirements for Perth require a fully custom design. This new project therefore marks a major strategic development for EV Maritime: seeing the firm step aside from vessel design altogether to focus on engineering and system integration.
The integrated electric power and propulsion package which lies at the heart of EV Maritime’s supply draws on the proven performance credentials of the EVM200 platform while also showcasing several new and exciting innovations.
