ABB will supply integrated power, propulsion and automation systems for New Zealand’s two new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries, Kupe and Cook. The 200-metre Ro-Pax vessels will feature hybrid-electric power, 8.2 MWh battery storage and Azipod® propulsion for improved efficiency, manoeuvrability and lower emissions. The ferries are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will increase passenger and freight capacity on the Wellington-Picton route.
Auckland, New Zealand | September 2, 2026 – ABB has been selected as the power, propulsion and automation technology partner for two new Ro-Pax ferries, Kupe and Cook, being developed under New Zealand’s Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme.
The vessels will be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and delivered to Ferry Holdings Limited, a New Zealand Government entity, in 2029. ABB will provide integrated power, propulsion and automation systems designed to improve the ferries’ reliability, fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
200-Metre Ferries for Cook Strait
The 200-metre-long and 28-metre-wide ferries will operate on the 92-kilometre Wellington-Picton route across Cook Strait, known in Māori as Te Moana-o-Raukawa, connecting New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Designed for the demanding conditions of the Cook Strait, the vessels will carry 1,530 passengers and 2,400 lane metres of freight, representing increases of 63% and 44%, respectively, compared with their predecessors.
The ferries will also be rail-enabled, allowing rail freight to be loaded directly onto the ships. This is intended to eliminate multiple cargo-handling steps during inter-island transfers and strengthen the efficiency of New Zealand’s national freight network.
Hybrid-Electric Power and Azipod Propulsion
The vessels will feature a fuel-agnostic hybrid-electric power and propulsion plant, including an 8.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The batteries will support near-zero-emission harbour operations and provide up to 10 minutes of spinning reserve. The power architecture can also be scaled to 12.3 MWh, with further potential to integrate shore-charging technology when suitable infrastructure becomes available.
ABB will supply four main alternators, along with motors and drives for three bow thrusters. The vessels will also be equipped with two Azipod® propulsion units, replacing conventional propeller shafts, rudders and stern thrusters. The gearless, 360-degree steerable Azipod units are designed to improve propulsion efficiency, manoeuvrability and passenger comfort while reducing underwater radiated noise.
Designed for Challenging Port Conditions
The ferries will be capable of “crabbing” at 1 knot in winds of up to 40 knots from any direction, according to ABB. The manoeuvre allows the vessel to move laterally while maintaining its bow direction, an important capability for port approaches and departures in strong crosswinds and currents.
The propulsion arrangement is particularly suited to the unpredictable conditions of Cook Strait, which can experience strong tides, rough seas and high winds. Environmental performance is also a key consideration. Reduced underwater radiated noise (URN) has been prioritised to help protect marine life in the Marlborough Sounds, with the vessels designed to meet the DNV SILENT-E class notation.
ABB PEMS to Manage Vessel Energy
At the centre of the ferries’ power architecture will be ABB’s PEMS™ Power & Energy Management System, which will coordinate the generators, battery storage, propulsion and auxiliary loads as an integrated system. PEMS is designed to continuously balance the vessels’ energy requirements, optimise fuel consumption, enable battery-only harbour operations and maintain power continuity if a fault occurs.
The system will be complemented by ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic System (RDS), providing continuous 24/7 monitoring and access to ABB’s global network of technical experts. The digital system is intended to support predictive maintenance, faster troubleshooting and real-time operational insights, helping improve vessel availability, reduce lifecycle costs and maintain safe and efficient operations.
Supporting New Zealand’s Transport Network
Massimo Soprano, Ship Programme Director at Ferry Holdings Limited, said selecting ABB provides confidence that the new ferries will feature world-class power, propulsion and automation technology capable of operating in the demanding Cook Strait environment while limiting their environmental impact.
Palemia Field, ABB’s Global Segment Manager for Ferries, said the project also has a personal connection, recalling watching ferries operate from Wellington’s Lyall Bay while growing up.
The two vessels are expected to play a critical role in New Zealand’s passenger and freight network. Their increased capacity, rail-enabled design, hybrid-electric architecture and advanced propulsion and energy-management systems are intended to support a more efficient and resilient Cook Strait connection for the next generation of inter-island transport.
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries operate at high performance while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they can outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has more than 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs, from supplying energy, water and materials to producing goods and transporting them to market. With around 26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun, leaner and cleaner.
Source: ABB