In short, yes, Watson is right.
Auckland Transport’s $20m, 300-passenger plug-in hybrid electric ferry, christened Waitematā 1, entered service in June on the Devonport-CBD run (the vessel is owned by AT and operated by Fullers).
But a ferry charging station near the Downtown Ferry Terminal, awarded under a $27.6m tender and originally scheduled to enter operation at the end of 2024, was still in the early stages of construction, with an estimated service date of mid-2027.
Slow circles at night for diesel-powered charging
That means the Waitematā 1 vessel’s diesel generators – meant as a backup – are, for the time being, the primary means of charging its batteries during the evening as the ferry traces mindless circles.
And that’s with diesel prices at near-record highs.
“Our first new electric-hybrid ferry has been designed to operate solely on electricity, solely on the two internal diesel generators – one in each of the catamaran hulls- or a mix as required. For the Devonport route, this is important to help ensure resilience on AT’s busiest route in the event of harbour fog or congestion in the ferry basin as an example,” AT programme director Nathan Cammock told the Herald.
“She is currently more heavily reliant on the onboard generators for power during day-to-day operation while ferry battery charging at Downtown ferry terminal is being completed.”
Cammock continued: “Once completed, the ferry will be able to operate solely on the batteries, removing the need for using the generators under normal operation.
“While using the generators, the crew have a range of battery charging modes available to them. Some modes provide a slower charge during operation, while some charge the battery faster.
“During evenings when the vessel has ceased passenger services before shutting down for the night, the batteries may need to be topped up ready for the next day’s service.
“This can involve either moving down the harbour with minimal crew onboard, or in slow circles based on harbour traffic and sea conditions.”
Where is the other plug-in hybrid?
AT ordered two plug-in hybrid electric ferries, and two fully electric ferries, at $20m a piece or a total of $80m.
Where are the other three, now that the first hybrid, Waitematā 1, is on the water?
“Her sister ship, our second electric-hybrid ferry, arrived into Silo Marina last Thursday morning after a journey in calm seas around the coast from Q-West Boat Builders in Whanganui,” Cammock said.
“She will now complete the final manufacturer acceptance trials during November and then be readied for passenger service.
“We look forward to her joining Waitemata 1 on the Devonport route late this year or early next year, depending on when all trials and necessary maritime approvals are in place.
“Both electric-hybrid ferries will also periodically be at Half Moon Bay and Downtown Ferry Terminal to take part in a comprehensive programme of charger commissioning planned for the first half of 2027.”
Where is the first electric ferry, launched in June last year?
Neither of the two fully electric ferries can enter operation until the Downtown Ferry Terminal chargers are online. A smaller charger at Half Moon Bay has been completed, but top-up charges are required at both ends of the journey. Budget constraints nixed a plan for a Hobsonville Point charger, at least in the medium term.
The first fully electric ferry, designed by EV Maritime and built by East Tāmaki’s McMullen and Wing, was launched onto Auckland Harbour in June 2025.
“The second fully electric ferry has successfully completed performance trials and was handed over to AT this month,” Cammock said.
“Both electric ferries are continuing their testing programmes alongside crew from Fullers360 in preparation to enter service on the Half Moon Bay to Downtown route in the first half of 2027, in tandem with completion of the Downtown Ferry Terminal electric charging infrastructure.
“Like the electric hybrids, the fully electric ferries will be moving between Half Moon Bay and Downtown as part of AT’s charger commissioning programme.
“As the electric hybrids have more operational flexibility due to their internal generators, AT and Fullers360 are prioritising these for passenger service on the Devonport route over the busy summer period.
“The electric ferries have been prioritised for charger testing and commissioning in order to get Downtown up and running as soon as possible.”
Re-embracing fossil fuel
At the time AT commissioned its two hybrid plug-in electric ferries and two fully electric ferries over 2021 and 2022, it was part of a plan to progressively electrify the city’s fleet of 30 ferries.
But as Government funding dried up and Auckland Council tightened its belt, AT changed tack in July 2025 as Simon Wilson reported: “The board of Auckland Transport, acting on advice from its executive, has decided to buy more diesel ferries for use on the Waitematā Harbour.”
In July this year, it emerged that AT had ordered eight new diesels, and others are likely to follow.
During a media preview cruise for AT’s first hybrid electric ferry, Mayor Wayne Brown told the Herald the new diesels would cost $8m each, compared to $20m for each electric or hybrid ferry plus $27.6m for on-pier chargers.
(The mayor is nearly right on the money with the short-term savings. An ASX filing by one of the companies involved in the successful tender put the cost of each at $7.8m.)
The purchasing decisions are made by council-controlled AT.
Fuller’s chief executive Mike Horne told the Herald when spending his private equity owners’ money, he would only buy electric vessels from this point, citing cheaper running costs (Horne resigned as a Fullers director on August 18 and said he would leave the business at the end of December).
“Everyone gets a bit confused with the cost of building a boat and the cost of operating a boat over time,” Horne said.
“I look at the whole-of-life.
“If I’m investing commercially, which I am, I’m going to the electric boats every time,” Horne said.
Horne put his money where his mouth was, backing electric boat start-up Vessev, with Fuller’s buying its first vessel.
EV Maritime founder Michael Eaglen said council and Government backing for electric ferries would also help foster a new export industry.
Downtown charger update: Still mid-2027
“A major milestone was achieved during October, with the Downtown charging equipment lifted into position on Queens Wharf,” Cammock said.
“Ferry passengers will also notice new charging towers now installed on Piers 2, 4 and 5.
“The charging towers have two plugs with each able to transfer up to 1.65MW of energy, which will enable the ferries to be charged during passenger disembarking and boarding between journeys.
“These regular top-ups during the day enable both Downtown and Half Moon Bay to be operated fully electric and help minimise the battery capacity onboard which decreases ferry cost, weight, and fuel use.
“The charging equipment, which was installed and pre-tested offsite, is steadily being connected to the already installed under-wharf cabling.
“AT will then commence step-by-step commissioning to enable power to flow from Vector’s 22kV distribution network along Quay Street, under Queens Wharf to the charging equipment, and then at 800Vdc to each charging-enabled ferry berth.
“This will be undertaken in stages through until mid-2027, with refinements made to operation of the equipment based on experience gained from the Half Moon Bay charger.”
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
