Seven new Australian-made ferries will take to Parramatta River after the NSW Government awarded the construction tender to Richardson Devine Marine Contructions in Hobart.
The new Parramatta Class ferries have been designed by Incat Crowthers, leading naval architects based in the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
The construction quality of the Parramatta Class ferries will be a vast improvement on the 10 overseas-made River Class vessels that entered service in October 2021 under the previous Liberal Government.
Issues that plagued the River Class included:
- Not being able to fit under some bridges with passengers on the top deck;
- Asbestos;
- Sub-standard fit and finish;
- Wheelhouse window angles making night operations dangerous;
- Engine stalling;
- Poor installation and configuration of electrical equipment, and;
- Steering issues.
The approximately 43 defects pushed their service commencement dates out by well over a year.
Transport for NSW has worked closely with the naval architects, operator Transdev and union representatives, enhancing the design to ensure the faults that plagued the first ten River Class ferries are not repeated.
While aesthetically similar, the new Parramatta Class vessels won’t include upper deck seating that forces passengers to move downstairs when passing under Camellia Railway Bridge and Gasworks Bridge.
The new ferries will also be future-proofed, allowing for future conversion to electric propulsion as battery, charging and engine technologies improve.
The engines of the Parramatta Class ferries will be replaced or rebuilt at regular intervals during their 25-30 year working life, providing a number of opportunities to make these upgrades..
The seven new vessels will replace seven Australian-built RiverCat vessels, which are ready to retire after 30 years of faithful service.
The RiverCat vessels were the first modern passenger ferries to chart a course all the way to Parramatta wharf in 1993.
Construction of the new ferries will begin in July.
The NSW Government is committed to building things here again. We’ve committed to:
- Starting the procurement process for the next set of trains to replace the ageing Tangara fleet;
- A target of 50 per cent minimum local content for future rolling stock contracts, by the end of our first term – just like Victoria;
- An increase in tender weightings to 30 per cent capturing local content, job creation, small business, and ethical supply chains – to get us to where Queensland is;
- Establishing up a NSW Jobs First Commission – an independent, expert body, to oversee the implementation and growth of local industries, supporting and advocating for local firms in bidding for government tenders – like they do down south.
Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:
“The NSW Government is committed to building things here again to create jobs, boost manufacturing and end the failed offshore imports of the previous Liberal Government.
“This commitment will produce Aussie-made NSW-designed ferries equipped with modern propulsion technology to ferry passengers well into the future.”
“I’m looking forward to the day I can announce a brand new NSW built ferry. It won’t be easy, and it will take time, but we are determined to do it.
Quotes attributable to NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen:
“The RiverCats have served the Parramatta River faithfully for over 30 years, these new ferries will have the same 200 person capacity, while using 40 per cent less diesel.
“It’s exciting to be supporting Australian manufacturing, with ferries that are ready for a net-zero future.”
Quotes attribute to a Richardson Devine Marine spokesperson:
“We thank the NSW Government, Transport for NSW and Sydney Ferries for choosing to work with us to deliver all seven new Parramatta River ferries.
“Since RDM was founded in 1989, we have built a strong reputation for building high quality aluminium passenger and cruise/charter vessels for commercial operators worldwide.
“You will find our Aussie-built vessels hard at work around the globe from Tasmania to Tanzania.
“We’re excited to start building the new vessels for the people of NSW and can’t wait to see them on the beautiful Parramatta River.”
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