Diesel ferry fleet is reaching its end-of-life.
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of 1.6 million people, many of whom rely on an integrated public transport network.
However, a significant portion of Auckland’s ageing diesel ferry fleet, operated by four companies, is reaching its end-of-life.
Fullers360 has recognised the need to future-proof the city’s ferry network and has begun its own decarbonisation journey, securing co-investment from government to maximise the existing diesel fleet while investing in new, low emissions vessels.
NetZero Maritime is executing Fullers360’s decarbonisation strategy in Auckland.
In the short term, NetZero Maritime is focused on improving the energy efficiency of its existing diesel fleet while new vessel construction is ongoing. By leveraging telematic vessel tracking and specialised emission monitoring software, we are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the diesel fleet. This data-driven approach informs our mid-to-long-term strategy for the legacy fleet, taking into account the varying stages of each vessel’s life cycle.
Fullers360’s diverse portfolio of destinations, ranging from 15 to 50-minute journey times across the dynamic Hauraki Gulf network, requires detailed route analysis. NetZero Maritime has leveraged its expertise in business case development and modeling, with a strong emphasis on understanding local and central government finance strategies, highlighting the critical need for a solid business case to support sustainable solutions.
To realise Fullers360’s mission of decarbonising the Hauraki Gulf, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) was negotiated with local and central government resulting in their commitment to invest in new vessels and develop shoreside infrastructure.
As a result, a suite of new electric-hybrid vessels is being delivered for Auckland.
As part of the PPP, an initial fleet of five high-speed electric-hybrid vessels is being constructed for Auckland city. The first of which is due to be operational in 2025.
With a capacity of 200-300 passengers these vessels utilise plug-in electric-hybrid technology, and will initially use diesel generators while shoreside charging infrastructure is implemented. Once in place, the vessels will operate solely on electricity.
NetZero Maritime is managing the development of the Vessev VS-9, a 9-meter luxury tourism vessel, as a test case for future large public transport hydrogen-powered foiling catamarans.
The vessel is fully electric, made of carbon fibre, and underwent on-water testing in 2024 before commencing commercial services in 2025.
If proven to be successfully scaled, the technology will be applied to larger 18-meter foiling hydrogen-powered passenger ferries – reinforcing Fullers360’s commitment to pioneering environmentally friendly transport across the Hauraki Gulf.
With the introduction of the first two new electric-hybrid vessels in 2025 and 2026, Fullers360 expect to remove 1900T of CO2 emissions on short inner harbour services per year.
It is anticipated that emissions will reduce by a minimum of 50% on longer commuter routes with capability to be 100% once shoreside charging infrastructure is scaled across the network.
The cost of purchasing and operating an electric-hybrid vessel on a short inner harbour route across 12 years will be approximately $11M lower than diesel alternatives.
