Austal Australia has announced on 19^th January 2021 that their VOLTA series electric-powered high speed ferry solutions has been launched, with the introduction of the Passenger Express 46V, which is a fully electric-powered 46 metre catamaran ferry design.

The company’s new VOLTA series is unique from existing, electric-powered vessels in the marketplace by going beyond the replacement of diesel engines with an electric (battery) power plant, offering a completely integrated design, construction and support solution – including on-shore charging infrastructure and in-service support programmes for operators. These vessels combine all new, light-weight, low-resistance hull forms, specifically designed, tested and optimised for electric-power propulsion, with state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries.

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Animation of the Passenger Express 46V

Paddy Gregg, Austal Chief Executive Officer said the new VOLTA series of high speed ferries represent the future of commercial maritime transport, offering operators a cost-effective electric-powered vessel; capable of zero emissions, lower operating costs, a quieter and more comfortable ride, and outstanding reliability.

“For any high speed vessel and even more so for electric-powered ferries, optimising vessel weight and performance is essential – driving not just operating costs, but the size and upfront purchase cost of the batteries and the charging system. With Austal’s unique VOLTA series of custom designed and built vessels, customers may achieve a lower total cost of ownership without compromising on performance or capability. Operators can reliably and profitably sail on schedule all day, every day,” Gregg said.

“Austal’s VOLTA series also future-proofs an operators’ fleet by introducing environmentally friendly, ‘green’ technology that already meets widely anticipated, low or zero-emission targets for public transport vehicles and operators, worldwide.”

Austal drew upon the company’s own vast experience and expertise in innovative, high-speed craft design, construction and support – and collaborated with industry leading electric technology partners from around the world – to develop the VOLTA series of electric-powered ferries over the past two years.

The first of class, 46 metre ‘Passenger Express 46V’ is a high speed passenger ferry, designed to provide an environmentally friendly, economical vessel ideal for metropolitan, inland waterway commuter ferry services. Boasting a capacity of up to 450 passengers, a maximum speed of 25 knots and fast charging capability, with a range of over 175 nautical miles per day, the Passenger Express 46V highlights the real advantages of the VOLTA design technology.

The vessel’s features a natural, light filled interior enabled by large, panoramic windows and generous skylights, positioned along the entire length of the cabin. Double automatic-sliding external doors provide easy access to the passenger deck for fast passenger turnarounds.