Engines to be replaced on troubled Sydney ferries

The engines fitted on three of the nine Emerald-class passenger vessels operated by Sydney Ferries are to be replaced before they could resume sailings on the Manly to Circular Quay service.

The three affected ferries, which were all built in China to a design by Port Macquarie-based Birdon, will have newer engines fitted in place of the existing ones after these have become subjected to repeated breakdowns.

Balmoral will be the first to undergo engine replacement while its sisters Clontarf and Fairlight will follow after ten weeks.

The engine issues are the latest in a series of problems that have plagued the Chinese-built Emerald-class ferries since these were introduced into service in 2021.

The vessels have also been criticised for their apparent inability to load and unload passengers at some wharfs during low tide, for structural damage sustained during sea trials, and for steering system failures.

On September 26, 2022, a steering failure suffered by Fairlight caused the ferry to come to a complete stop in the path of an approaching cruise ship near Circular Quay. Fortunately, the incident only resulted in a near-miss between the two vessels.