Powered by Meridian*, Ika Rere provides a round-trip service in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour), taking passengers from Wellington CBD to Days Bay and Matiu/Somes Island. Powered by Meridian*, Ika Rere provides a round-trip service in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour), taking passengers from Wellington CBD to Days Bay and Matiu/Somes Island.
It then needs just a recharge at Queens Wharf before setting off again. Making this zero-emissions ferry an absolute breeze for Wellington commuters and day trippers alike.
“We’re proud to lend our experience and energy to ground-breaking projects like this one that prove the potential for the electrification of transport to disrupt the status quo and improve New Zealanders lives through building climate resilience.” says Meridian Chief Executive Neal Barclay.
Work on the ferry began in 2018, with the project originally scheduled to launch in mid-2020. Like many complex infrastructure projects, COVID’s impact was felt but the team powered on, with Ika Rere finally officially launching in December 2021.
“We are the first in the Southern Hemisphere to have taken a vessel of this kind off the drawing boards, and onto the water,” says WEBBCo Managing Director Fraser Foote, whose Wellington-based company was first formed to build the ferry.
We’re proud to partner with East by West, to help launch Ika Rere (flying fish) – the Southern Hemispheres first fully electric high-performance ferry. We’re proud to partner with East by West, to help launch Ika Rere (flying fish) – the Southern Hemispheres first fully electric high-performance ferry.
Made from carbon fibre, the light, yet durable catamaran can transport up to 132 passengers at a speed of 20 knots, making it faster and quieter than its diesel counterparts.
Built by Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo) for East by West, Ika Rere launched in 2021.
Ika Rere, the flying fish, glides across Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour)
Getting on board with Certified
East by West have been running the Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) route for over 30 years and knew it was time to think outside the box with their next ferry upgrade. East by West have been running the Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) route for over 30 years and knew it was time to think outside the box with their next ferry upgrade.
East by West Managing Director Jeremy Ward says, “While the quiet hum of an electric boat is a much more pleasurable experience for passengers, this project is driven by our desire to take climate action.
Our two other diesel ferries use about 250,000 litres of fuel a year between them, it’s not sustainable for the planet and I knew electrification was the answer, which is why we wanted to take advantage of Meridian’s 100% Certified Renewable Energy product.
It means we can report our scope 2 electricity emissions as zero** and show our support for 100% renewable energy generation” says Ward
We’re very proud to be involved with this project and to provide the power that’s going to get this ferry from A to B. If you’re in Wellington, keep your eyes peeled, because you won’t hear it coming! Even better, take a ride – nothing like a view of the capital from water.
*About the Certification
All the electricity that East by West uses to charge Ika Rere comes from the national grid. Meridian’s Certified Renewable Energy product means that the New Zealand Energy Certificate System verifies that the electricity Ika Rere uses an annual basis is matched with 100% renewable electricity generated from Meridian’s certified wind farms or hydro stations.
**Using the market-based reporting methodology as per the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Standards