Wellington Electric Boat Building Company

Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo) is a New Zealand boatbuilder based in Wellington that specialises in fully-electric, high-performance passenger ferries. The company describes itself as a global leader in zero-emission marine transportation solutions, building composite-constructed all-electric ferries tailored to specific routes. Its vessels are designed to cut running and maintenance costs, improve passenger experience and offer higher residual value while helping operators meet environmental targets. WEBBCo was established after Jeremy Ward, CEO of East by West Ferries, decided in 2018 to commission the first fully electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere. That decision led to the formation of the company, with Fraser Foote serving as Managing Director. The firm brought together expertise in composite structures, naval architecture and electrification to move high-performance electric passenger ferries from the drawing board to the water. The company's flagship achievement is a 19-metre, 20-knot electric carbon-fibre catamaran capable of carrying up to 132 passengers. Operating on the Queen's Wharf to Days Bay route across Wellington Harbour, the ferry can recharge in as little as 15 minutes and cover a return distance of 25 km between charges, with zero operating emissions and significantly lower operating and maintenance costs than comparable diesel ferries. WEBBCo markets its ferries on benefits including reduced propulsion energy bills, less corrosion and fatigue, zero noise and diesel-spill risk, and a longer in-service life. WEBBCo operates as a private company and works with design and technology partners on a project-by-project basis, offering route-specific solutions for operators and route owners. Its core team includes composite boat builders and production and design coordination managers.

Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo) was established following a decision in 2018 by Jeremy Ward, CEO of East by West Ferries, to commission the first fully electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere. That ambitious move led to the creation of WEBBCo, with Fraser Foote as Managing Director. The company set out to bring together cutting-edge approaches in composite structures, naval architecture and electrification for the first time, creating a unique answer to zero-emission marine transportation. WEBBCo describes itself as the first Southern Hemisphere company to move high-performance electric passenger ferries from the drawing board to the water. Its team worked through the challenges, unknowns and surprises of the project to prove that electric ferry projects could be brought to life. The company's flagship vessel, a 19-metre, 20-knot energy-efficient electric carbon-fibre catamaran, was launched as the Southern Hemisphere's first all-electric high-performance passenger ferry. It carries up to 132 passengers on the Queen's Wharf to Days Bay route across Wellington Harbour in New Zealand, with an ultra-fast charging time of 15 minutes and a return distance of 25 km between charges. The company operates with a core team of dedicated composite boat builders and production and design coordination managers, working towards the shared vision of Jeremy Ward and Fraser Foote. WEBBCo collaborates with innovative and solution-driven design and technology experts, applying a design-thinking approach to complex, dynamic and multi-faceted problems. Each ferry is designed to different criteria in terms of performance, passenger capacity and charging infrastructure, and the company positions its vessels as future-proofed investments with longer in-service life and higher residual value.

• 2018

  Jeremy Ward, CEO of East by West Ferries, decides to commission the first fully electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere, leading to the establishment of WEBBCo.

• Launch of the Southern Hemisphere's first all-electric high-performance passenger ferry, a 19m 20-knot electric carbon-fibre catamaran built by WEBBCo.

Global leader in zero-emission marine transportation solutions; builder of fully-electric high-performance passenger ferries tailored to specific routes.

• 19m electric carbon-fibre catamaran ferry

  Carries up to 132 passengers, 20 knots, 15-minute ultra-fast charging, 25 km return distance between charges, zero operating emissions.

1. 1WEBBCo official websiteelectricboatbuilders.co.nz
2. 2About WEBB — WEBBCoelectricboatbuilders.co.nz
3. 3Wikidata: Wellington Electric Boat Building Companywikidata.org