Supporting Auckland Transport’s Low Emission Ferry Programme: Charging Safety Case Development

We are proud to have played a key role in the development of the low emission charging safety case supporting Auckland Transport’s electrification programme.

A first-of-its-kind maritime charging system

With the commissioning of New Zealand’s first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for electric ferries, the project introduced:

• High-power DC charging at megawatt scale

• Integrated landside and vessel protection schemes

• New operational and emergency response interfaces

• Revised berthing arrangements for two new classes of vessels

This level of novel infrastructure, operating in a dynamic marine environment, interfacing with passenger services, required a comprehensive and defensible safety framework.

Our role in the safety case

Our involvement focused on ensuring that the charging system could be commissioned and operated safely, meeting regulatory, stakeholder, and operator expectations.

Key contributions included:

Hazard identification and risk assessment

We facilitated structured hazard identification and risk assessment activities across vessel systems, landside infrastructure, and operational interfaces.

Safety case framework development

We developed a structured safety argument aligned with best-practice safety case methodology. This ensured traceability from identified hazards through to engineered and procedural controls.

Human factors and operational integration

Megawatt-scale charging systems are not just electrical assets, they are operational systems. We worked with project partners to support the integration of human factor considerations into design and operation.

Commissioning and assurance support

As the project transitioned from design to commissioning, we contributed to:

• Facilitating Project Safety Committee meetings to achieve stakeholder control sign off

• Verification of safety case controls

• Functional safety validation

• Documentation alignment for regulatory review

• Evidence collation to support authority engagement

Enabling confidence in innovation

Electrifying ferry fleets introduces new technical and operational challenges. The safety case provides the backbone that enables these systems to move from concept to operational reality.

By combining engineering analysis, risk methodology, and practical operational understanding, we helping to ensure that Auckland’s first megawatt marine charging installation could proceed safely into service.

Supporting the future of maritime electrification

The Low Emission Ferry Programme demonstrates that high-speed marine charging is not only technically possible, but it can also be delivered safely, repeatably, and at scale.

As additional terminals and vessels transition to low-emission operation, robust safety case development will remain essential to network roll out.

We’re proud to support this innovative project that significantly increases the resilience of the Auckland transport network, while maintaining the highest standards of engineering safety and integrity.