Downtown electric ferry charging project

About the project

We are replacing Auckland’s ferries in stages with low-emission ferries powered by locally generated electricity.

Downtown Ferry Terminal is an important location on the ferry network as it connects our city centre with the wider region. All of Auckland Transport’s public transport ferry services either start or end there.

We have a 5-year resource consent to build the first stage of charging infrastructure. It will be on Queens Wharf, north of Shed 10.

The new charger building will power piers 2, 4 and 5. This will allow us to top up ferry batteries while offloading and onboarding passengers.

Electric ferries are expected to dock at Downtown Ferry Terminal from 2026.

Timeline

October 2025

We will start under-wharf works, installing cable trays to hold electrical cables.

November 2025

We will start above-wharf works, installing a charger building to house electrical equipment.

Throughout 2026

We will work on piers 2, 4 and 5. We aim to start ferry charging from late 2026.

Mid-2027

This is when we expect the project to end.

What to expect during construction

Queens Wharf is used for passenger ferries, cruise ships, events and as public space. Auckland Transport is working to minimise construction impacts on other wharf users.

Our contractor’s work hours will generally be Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm.

Piers 2, 4 and 5 will be out of operation at times during construction. Ferry services will operate from alternative piers.

The public will still be able to access Queens Wharf throughout construction. Events and cruises will run as normal. Signage will clearly communicate what is happening on site. We’ll keep the downtown community updated throughout construction.

Trucks and machinery will access the construction site from Quay Street. Vehicle movements will follow a traffic management plan. The construction team will be on hand to keep people safe.

Later in the downtown electric ferry charging project, we need to undertake work on Quay Street to connect our cables to the power network. We are developing a plan for this and will update you in the coming months.

Power supply

Our new ferries will charge at a rate of up to 3 megawatts between passenger trips. We’re installing electrical cables under Queens Wharf to carry power from Vector’s network to the charger building. It will convert power from alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), ready for charging ferries.

Electrical cables will carry DC power under-wharf to piers 2, 4 and 5, where ferries will charge while offloading and onboarding passengers.

The charger building

The charger building will house electrical equipment, enclosed by perforated screening – metal sheets covered with small holes. Māori artist Graham Tipene of Te Wheke Moko Design Studio has developed a screening design that features poutama and unanahi patterns. Poutama represents the path to enlightenment and excellence, and the pursuit of knowledge. It is integrated within the building screening as an ascendent stepping pattern. Unaunahi represents fish scales and is inscribed within the screening’s stepped poutama pattern.

The Low Emission Ferry Programme

We’re initially enabling piers 2, 4 and 5 for charging. Our first low emission ferries arrive from 2026.

Current funding enables construction of:

• 4 electric and electric-hybrid ferries
• charging equipment at the Downtown and Half Moon Bay ferry terminals.

Auckland Transport will evaluate the performance of the new vessels. This will inform future vessel designs and procurement options.

Auckland Transport has a 5-year resource consent to install charging equipment on Queens Wharf. In parallel, Auckland Council is developing a Central Wharves Masterplan (opens in a new tab). It will provide guidance on the location of future charging equipment on Queens Wharf.