A NEW Zealand maritime‑technology specialist has joined the team delivering Western Australia’s first electric ferry fleet, adding international expertise to the METRONET Swan River Ferry Service Expansion.
Echo Marine Group has appointed EV Maritime as electric‑propulsion systems integrator for the five new battery‑electric fast ferries being built for the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA).
The 24‑metre vessels form part of the largest-ever expansion of Perth’s ferry network, under a $66 million design-and‑construct contract awarded to Echo Marine Group in 2025.
The ferries, designed by One2three Naval Architects, will be the first fully electric public‑transport vessels in Western Australia.
EV Maritime will lead electrical systems integration, including power‑conversion panels, vessel‑management and power‑management systems, and the project’s data‑intelligence platform. The company will also provide mechanical‑systems engineering to support the electrification package.
EV Maritime’s appointment introduces a new dimension to the Swan River project. The Auckland‑based firm previously delivered all design, engineering and systems integration for Auckland Transport’s first two EVM200 electric ferries, among the fastest fully electric passenger vessels in the world.
The Perth project marks a strategic shift for the company, stepping away from vessel design to focus solely on engineering and integration for custom builds.
EV Maritime founder and CEO Michael Eaglen said the Swan River fleet represented a landmark in maritime electrification.
“We’re grateful to Echo Marine Group for trusting EV Maritime to deliver the integration package which underpins the capability of these vessels,” Mr Eaglen said. “This project is immensely significant, both locally and internationally. We commend PTA for their bold vision and commitment to transport decarbonisation.”
EV Maritime chairman Damian Camp said the project demonstrates how the company’s standardised driveline platform can be paired with custom naval‑architecture solutions.
“The Swan River demanded a custom low‑air‑draft vessel, but when paired with our standard driveline system, we can now support naval architects and deliver high‑confidence electric vessels worldwide,” Mr Camp said.
Echo Marine Group project manager Anthony Livanos said EV Maritime’s experience with high‑voltage marine systems and electric‑vessel deployment would help de‑risk the project.
“They bring first-hand knowledge of the many challenges of deploying these new technologies, which gives Echo Marine Group, and the Public Transport Authority, real confidence in the delivery of this fleet,” Mr Livanos said.
The ferries will carry 100 passengers, operate at speeds up to 25 knots, and feature a low‑wake hull form suited to the Swan River environment.
Construction is supporting around 130 local jobs, including apprenticeships at Echo Marine Group’s Henderson facility.
EV Maritime’s next‑generation propulsion platform is designed to reduce weight, improve space efficiency and simplify shipboard installation, a key factor in accelerating electrification across inshore commercial fleets.
The Swan River fleet is scheduled to enter service as part of the METRONET ferry expansion, alongside new terminals at Applecross and Matilda Bay.