Ika Rere: the Southern Hemisphere’s first electric fast ferry
Clients: East by West Ferries and Wellington Electric Boat Building Company
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Date: 2019-2021
East by West Ferries and Wellington Electric Boat Building Company New Zealand Retyna worked closely with public transport ferry operator East By West Ferries and its sister company, Wellington Electric Boat Building Company, through the construction, sea trials, commissioning, launch, and ongoing operation of the Southern Hemisphere’s first fast electric ferry, Ika Rere.
The electric ferry carries up to 132 passengers at operating speeds of 20 knots on a 25 km return trip across Wellington harbour.
Retyna specified the phased deployment of charging infrastructure and coordinated the installation of the phase one, shore-side charging, including permitting and electricity supply.
The phase one shore-side charging infrastructure included a 300kW charging station with 2 x CCS2 charging connectors, modified for vessel charging.
Future charging planned for phase two included using MCS connectors for megawatt scale charging while passengers load and unload.
Retyna also assisted with government liaison and securing government co-funding.
Ika Rere has been in commercial service with East By West Ferries on Wellington harbour since early 2022.
» Image: Ika Rere electric ferry, berthing in the Central Business Disctrict, Wellington, New Zealand
» Image: Ika Rere electric ferry, charging at Queens Wharf, Wellington, New Zealand
» Image: Ika Rere electric ferry, In transit across harbour, New Zealand
