ABB to provide propulsion technology for New Zealand ferries

ABB has been chosen as the technology partner for power, propulsion, and automation for two new Ro-Pax ferries, named Kupe and Cook, as part of New Zealand’s Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Program. The vessels will be constructed by Guangzhou Shipyard International and are scheduled for delivery to the government entity Ferry Holdings Limited in 2029.

The 200-meter long ferries are designed to navigate the challenging conditions of the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands. They will provide a 63 percent increase in passenger capacity and a 44 percent increase in freight capacity compared to current vessels. The ships will be rail-enabled to streamline inter-island cargo transfers.

To minimize environmental impact, the ferries will utilize a fuel-agnostic hybrid-electric power plant and an 8.2 MWh battery energy storage system to support near-zero-emission harbor operations. The design also prioritizes the reduction of underwater radiated noise to protect marine life in the Marlborough Sounds, meeting the DNV SILENT-E class notation.