Parramatta River-class ferry
Frances Bodkin at Circular Quay in April 2024 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Richardson Devine Marine |
| Operators | Transdev Sydney Ferries |
| Planned | 7 |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Length | 24.95 metres |
| Beam | 7.2 metres |
| Draft | 1.35 metres |
| Propulsion | 2 x Scania DI13 070M (405 kW / 550 hp @ 1800 rpm) via a ZF 2000 gearbox[1] |
| Speed | 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)[2] |
| Capacity | 200 |
The Parramatta River class are a ferry type operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour.
The ships are designed for future conversion to electric propulsion for low-emissions travel.[3]
History
In June 2023, Transport for NSW announced it had awarded Richardson Devine Marine a contract to build seven Incat Crowther designed ferries in Hobart to replace the RiverCats on Parramatta River services.[4][5][6][7]
The ferries are named in honour of Australians who have made significant achievements in the fields of science, environment, and innovation.[8] The first was delivered in March 2024.[9]
Unlike the River-class ferry fleet, the new vessels do not include a top deck.
Vessels
| Photo of Vessel | Name | Call Sign | MMSI | Shipyard No | Launch date | Entered service | Namesake | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MV Frances Bodkin leaving Huntleys Point, 2025. |
Frances Bodkin | 462934 | 503161930 | 081 | 12 February 2024 | 28 May 2024 | Frances Bodkin | [9] |
|
MV John Nutt passing Newington Armory Wharf, 2025. |
John Nutt | 462936 | 503164160 | 082 | 29 April 2024 | July 2024 | John Nutt | [10] |
|
MV Isobel Bennett passing under Gladesville Bridge, 2025. |
Isobel Bennett | 462935 | 503167290 | 083 | 5 August 2024 | 27 November 2024 | Isobel Bennett | [11] |
|
MV Martin Green at Kissing Point, 2025. |
Martin Green | 462938 | 503174880 | 084 | 9 November 2024 | 10 February 2025 | Martin Green | [10] |
|
MV Ruby Payne Scott at Sydney Olympic Park, 2025. |
Ruby Payne-Scott | 462939 | 503178210 | 085 | 6 March 2025 | 3 June 2025 | Ruby Payne-Scott | [10] |
|
MV Norman Selfe at Silverwater, 2025. |
Norman Selfe | 462940 | 503178220 | 086 | 30 May 2025[1] | 5 December 2025 | Norman Selfe | [10] |
|
MV Jack Mundey at Barangaroo, 2025. |
Jack Mundey | 462941 | 503178230 | 087 | 29 August 2025 | 17 December 2025 | Jack Mundey | [10] |
References
- ^ a b Parramatta River Class ferry MV Norman Selfe's Richardson Devine Marine build plate (own image) 3 February 2026
- ^ "Incat Crowther 24m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". Incat Crowther. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Minister for Transport; Haylen, Jo (24 September 2024). "Next Generation Freshwater vessels to take to popular F1 Manly Ferry route". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
Sydney's new fleet of seven Parramatta River Class ferries are currently mid-way through construction in Tasmania and have been built to support conversion to electric propulsion when shore-side charging infrastructure can be put in place.
- ^ Williams, Abby (25 June 2023). "Richardson Devine Marine to construct new Parramatta ferries". The DCN. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "New Parramatta Ferries to be Built in Australia". Sydney Olympic Park Business Association. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Australian-made ferries to take to Parramatta River". NSW Government. 26 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "RDM081 – RDM087 – RDM Awarded contract to build 7 x 24m Passenger ferries". RDM Construction. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "New Parramatta River Class Ferry starts sea-trials on the Derwent". Transport for NSW. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b O'Sullivan, Matt (24 March 2024). "First of new ferries sails into Sydney weeks before starting services". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "New Aussie-built ferry arrives at Sydney Opera House". NSW Government. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN-MADE FERRY ISOBEL BENNETT ENTERS PASSENGER SERVICE". Sydney Times. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
External links
- Media related to Parramatta ferry class at Wikimedia Commons