Lloyd’s Register (LR) has announced the signing of a new contract with long-standing partner Echo Marine Group, which will aim to support the delivery of Western Australia’s first fully electric passenger ferries.
The project forms part of the Perth Transport Authority’s (PTA) METRONET Swan River Ferry Service Expansion programme, which will see the design and construction of a set of five new battery-electric ferries for operation on Perth’s Swan River.
LR will provide classification and technical assurance services throughout both the design and build, as well as support the safe introduction of the new generation of zero-emission vessels.
Both LR and Echo Marine Group will collaborate to bring first-of-its-kind electric propulsion technology into public transport service in Australia, with the programme expected to set a new benchmark for zero-emission ferry design and construction within the region.
The project, which will ultimately introduce one of the first fully electric ferry fleets in Australia, presents a number of unique technical and regulatory considerations, including high-voltage battery integration, evolving standards and the safe deployment of new propulsion systems in a public transport environment. LR’s initial involvement sought to help define a clear approval pathway, ensuring that technical decisions were validated from the outset, as well as aligned with any and all emerging requirements for electric vessels.
One of the first steps of LR’s wider role has been proactive technical engagement through structured workshops and regular stakeholder sessions, supported by LR’s global Technical Support Office.
LR has also shared international reference cases and practical insights in order to benchmark the design against proven solutions, subsequently aiming to provide additional confidence in critical areas such as battery safety systems, system integration and operational performance.
The company’s local surveyor team in Perth has begun working alongside Echo Marine, providing on-site oversight during installation of the electric propulsion systems, high-voltage cabling and associated safety systems.
Asif Ghauri, Account Manager, Marine – Australasia, Lloyd’s Register, said:The strength of our long-standing relationship with Echo Marine Group has enabled us to move forward with confidence on this pioneering project.
By combining local insight knowledge with regional and global expertise, we are providing end-to-end assurance that supports safety, compliance and innovation.
The programme, which is expected to provide a scalable model for uture low-emission ferry developments across the region, will ultimately see the first of the new electric vessels enter service in 2027.
