AWARDS 2023 | Best Small Ferry – Talwurrapin – Norman R. Wright and Sons

Best Small Ferry – Talwurrapin – Norman R. Wright and Sons

One of the best known names in the Australian ferry business delivered this impressively practical small ferry in 2023. Norman R. Wright and Sons has been designing and building first-rate vessels for well over a century and joins the fleet of one of the most successful operators of ferries of all shapes and sizes right around Australia’s very extensive coastline.

This shipyard knows very well what they are doing, and Talwurrapin, which will operate on inshore routes in southern Moreton Bay, illustrates that fact very clearly.

“The ferry was designed with an aluminium hull and a composite superstructure,” Tony Riek, Managing Director of Norman R. Wright and Sons (NRW), told Baird Maritime. “We designed the superstructure to make the most of the advantages of foam cored composites – i.e., lightweight, large unsupported structures with high stiffness – to create a vast, open, and airy passenger cabin with limited supports to impede passenger movement. When fully loaded with 200 passengers, as it often is, the feeling of greater space over the other vessels in the owner’s fleet becomes more noticeable.”

Riek said that although the construction project posed no technical difficulties, it commenced at the tail-end of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was then followed by a period wherein inflation was high and labour resources were tight. NRW learned to manage its schedule and costs.

“We have no doubt the future of passenger ferries is electric,” Riek replied when asked about the state of the passenger vessel industry. “Also, to be successful, you will need to be light and that means composites. We are therefore partnering and designing with other companies for these types of vessels now, but ultimately it will al be dependent on the speed at which governments and operators move to decarbonise their fleets.”

Riek said that the year 2023 proved difficult for newbuilds in that NRW delivered a number of highly customised builds that were contracted at fixed prices and delivered through a period of high inflation and labour and supply constraints.

“The flipside is that we delivered on all commitments without compromise and all vessels are at the right level of quality and are performing beautifully in the field for our customers. We continue to work with those customers on new projects.”

Riek added that for the last few years, the marine industry has been buoyant and continues to be so across all sectors. NRW is therefore busy across all facets of the business, which includes design, custom newbuilds, and refits.

“Normally, we can rely on softness in one area while another is in demand,” he told Baird Maritime, “but in recent times all facets are running at 100 per cent and that continues to put pressure on labour resources and supply chains. We are certainly optimistic about the future, however we do see early signs of a slowdown – particularly in the recreation market, though interestingly we are busy designing for a number of private clients.”

Riek concluded by saying NRW has a strong orderbook in both newbuild vessels and refits, and the company has had many inquiries for its pilot boats and patrol vessels.

For a list of the 2023 “Best Of” award winners, please click here.