Incat Crowther wraps up design of seven‑vessel Parramatta River fleet

The Parramatta River Class fleet uses 40% less fuel than previous RiverCats.

Incat Crowther completed the design of Transport for New South Wales' (NSW) seven-vessel Parramatta River Class ferry fleet, following the delivery of the final two ferries, Norman Selfe and Jack Mundey.

Built by Richardson Devine Marine in Tasmania, each ferry will carry up to 200 passengers and operate mainly between Parramatta and Circular Quay.

The fleet has enabled Sydney's F3 Parramatta River route to add 136 weekly services after reducing fuel consumption by around 40% compared with the previous RiverCat fleet.

Incat Crowther said it provided vessel design, project assurance, and digital shipbuilding services for the project.

The company worked with Transport for NSW, operator Transdev, shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine, and unions representing ferry workers during the design, construction, and delivery of the fleet.

Brett Crowther, CEO of Incat Crowther, said Transport for NSW incorporated digital shipbuilding technology and project assurance processes into the project to support collaboration between stakeholders.

"Not only did they want a locally designed and manufactured vessel, but by incorporating the latest digital shipbuilding technology and project assurance processes, they ensured that deep collaboration with partners and stakeholders was central to the project's success," Crowther said.