The vital ferry link between Stockton and Newcastle's CBD has been brought to a complete standstill, leaving residents and commuters facing lengthy bus journeys as both vessels in the fleet remain out of service.
Ferry Fleet Grounded Indefinitely
Transport for NSW has confirmed the Stockton ferry service is suspended until further notice. The crisis deepened when the MV Shortland was withdrawn from service on Saturday, November 29, 2025, during the busy Rising Tide protest event on Newcastle Harbour.
This left the community without its iconic five-minute harbour crossing. The only remaining vessel, the MV Hunter, has been out of action since February, meaning the Shortland had been operating a gruelling double schedule for nine months.
On Tuesday, December 2, technicians boarded the MV Shortland for inspections, but sources indicate they are still working to pinpoint the exact mechanical failure.
Contradictions and Commuter Chaos
A Transport for NSW spokesperson stated that operator Keolis Downer Hunter (KDH) has met its contractual maintenance requirements. The agency also said KDH was working with the slipway provider to repair the MV Hunter and was "progressing alternative options" to complete repairs before Christmas.
However, these statements raise questions. The Thales-operated slipway in Newcastle Harbour has reportedly not been used for the Hunter's repairs in the past nine months. Furthermore, alternative repair options—such as using slipways in Port Macquarie or Sydney, or craning the vessel—do not appear to have been pursued until now.
The breakdown has forced all passengers onto replacement buses, turning a quick five-minute boat trip into a 30-minute journey each way via the Stockton bridge. The long queues for buses on Tuesday included commuters, school students, and visitors.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
The disruption is severely impacting daily life in Stockton. Beata Laucht, who commutes from Medowie, now faces a two-hour round trip instead of one. "I'm lucky to have an understanding workplace, but it adds to the stress of the whole thing," she said.
Resident Armano Scuro told the Newcastle Herald the ferry is his essential link to the city. "It's affected me a lot. It's the only link to everything in the city," he said.
Safety concerns have also emerged. Insiders suggest the Shortland's failure was inevitable due to its increased workload. While Transport for NSW denies claims of four recent crashes, it acknowledges two incidents since November 12 where the engine stalled and the vessel made contact with the wharf. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is investigating.
For now, Stockton residents, described by one local cyclist as part of an "ageing population," are left waiting for a solution, with their most direct connection to Newcastle severed.
