Newcastle's state representative is pushing for a major upgrade to the city's harbour transport, calling on the Minns government to deliver a new fleet of all-electric ferries.
Service Disruptions Prompt Call for Action
In a formal letter to Transport Minister John Graham, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp emphasised the urgent need for a reliable, net-zero emission fleet to serve the community. The Newcastle Ferry Service, which connects Stockton and Queens Wharf, is a vital daily transport link for hundreds of Novocastrians.
The city currently relies on two ageing vessels, the MV Shortland and the MV Hunter, which have been in operation since 1986. The service's vulnerability was exposed this year when the MV Hunter was taken out of the water in February for its regular two-year survey and has not returned.
The ferry has been out of service for most of 2025, awaiting access to a slipway at Thales for critical repairs. This lengthy delay forced the entire service to shut down for extended periods, sometimes for days, whenever the remaining vessel, the MV Shortland, required its own unplanned maintenance.
Community Impact and Environmental Vision
Mr Crakanthorp detailed how these repeated closures have created major disruptions, severely impacting workers, school students, and daily commuters who depend on the cross-harbour route.
He pointed to the NSW Government's existing commitment, made in September 2024, to electrify the Sydney Ferries fleet. With the Hunter region positioning itself as a leader in the transition to net-zero emissions, the MP argued it is only logical to extend this vision to Newcastle's water transport.
"Our ferry service should reflect our commitment to the environment. A zero-emission ferry would see clean, efficient and modern transport on our harbour," Mr Crakanthorp stated. He highlighted that state investments in the Newcastle Renewable Energy Zones, Logistics Precinct, and Hunter Hydrogen Hub, located up the river from the ferry route, provide a perfect backdrop for this green initiative.
Government Response and Future Assessment
Transport Minister John Graham acknowledged the advocacy from the local MP and confirmed that Transport NSW has been tasked with a condition assessment of the two existing vessels.
This assessment will crucially include an evaluation of options for electrifying the Newcastle fleet. While Mr Graham noted this process "will take some time," he affirmed that it will help shape the future of the city's ferries, recognising that Newcastle is a growing community with growing transport needs.
