Freshwater Class Ferry Collaroy to Pause Service, Future Replacement Plans Underway
The Collaroy, one of the Freshwater Class ferries in Sydney, will soon be pulled from service as its current license to operate comes to an end. The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that Collaroy will pause its service at the end of September. Although Collaroy is the youngest ferry in the Freshwater fleet, its ocean-going specifications require different servicing and operational requirements compared to the other vessels. The government plans to make a decision on Collaroy’s future based on industry feedback through a market sounding process that will commence in October. This process will also inform the longer-term strategy for the Manly route.
During the six-to-eight week period between Collaroy leaving the harbor and the return of the ferry Queenscliff, Freshwater services will not be available. However, from mid-December onwards, Queenscliff will resume providing Freshwater services every hour for the summer period. In the meantime, Narrabeen, another Freshwater ferry, is scheduled for drydock in mid-2024, subject to availability. Once Narrabeen returns in the middle of next year, three Freshwater ferries will be available for service on the harbor.
The NSW government has invested $114 million into upgrading the Sydney ferry fleet, including the Freshwater ferries. This funding ensures that Australian naval engineers, electrical engineers, shipbuilders, painters, and plumbers are employed to carry out the refurbishments. Additionally, part of the investment will go towards future-proofing the Sydney Ferries fleet with a Zero Emission Ferry Transition Strategy.
The NSW minister for transport, Jo Haylen, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming return of Queenscliff to Sydney Harbour and the progress of the new Parramatta Class ferries. She stated that the Australian-made ferries will be a significant improvement over the foreign-made River Class vessels, which were introduced by the previous government. Haylen further emphasized the government’s commitment to moving towards a zero-emission fleet and mentioned the allocation of $43 million in the budget for seven new Australian-made ferries for the Parramatta River.
Currently, the construction of two Parramatta Class vessels is underway, and they are expected to enter trials in early 2024. These vessels have been designed in the Northern Beaches and feature hulls constructed with decking. The wheelhouses are currently being built at a shipyard in Hobart. The design of the Parramatta Class vessels allows for future electrification as battery, charging, and engine technologies continue to improve.
The NSW government has worked in close collaboration with naval architects, operator Transdev, and union representatives to enhance the design of the Parramatta Class ferries. Lessons from the defects observed in the RiverCat vessels have been taken into account to ensure a successful and problem-free operation of the new vessels.
With these developments, Sydney’s ferry system is set to undergo significant upgrades and improvements. The government’s investments, focused on Australian-made ferries, aim to enhance the overall experience for passengers while also prioritizing sustainability and environmental considerations. As the Freshwater Class ferry Collaroy pauses its service and future replacement plans take shape, commuters and residents can look forward to a more efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly ferry network in Sydney’s picturesque harbor.
