Ferry company slows down for the environment

A Fullers Ferry on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Photo / Martin Sykes

If you've noticed the ferry to Waiheke sometimes travelling a bit slower, it is not your imagination.

Drivers have eased back on the throttle to help company Fullers save $250,000 on energy.

An audit of five ferries found the Auckland company could save 7 per cent of its energy bill and cut carbon emissions by 715 tonnes by driving slightly slower at times, using more energy-efficient lighting and upgrading its propellers.

Fullers Group chief executive Douglas Hudson said the change would add only a couple of minutes to a Waiheke trip but could save the company $50,000 to $60,000 a year.

It did not apply to all vessels travelling at all times. "We're very mindful that people are making their plans around connecting with other services ... They get a bit anxious if we end up being a bit late and they miss their connections. So it's just about seeing what we can achieve without compromising ... on the schedules."

The move is part of an efficiency drive by New Zealand tourism companies to cut energy use and help the environment.

There are also plans to coat ferries in a slick, Teflon-like substance that stop dirt sticking to the hull.

"A dirty hull on one of the Waiheke ferries will cost us about 2 minutes per trip [with no corresponding fuel saving]," said Mr Hudson.

And new propellers have been purchased for two ferries to fit the new, slower pace.

"It is about sizing the propellers to the speed you want to operate at," said Mr Hudson.

"If you just pull the revs back [to slow down], as you might with the accelerator in your car, the motors don't necessarily perform efficiently."

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said the audit found Fullers had good energy efficiency measures in place, "given the constraints of maintaining a high-speed ferry service with a fixed schedule".

Mr Cossar said the total cost of implementing the improvements recommended was between $100,000 and $150,000, meaning they could pay for themselves within six months.

ECONOMY DRIVE

* Ferries are slowing down to save money and to cut carbon emissions by 715 tonnes.
* This will save $50,000 to 60,000 a year on the Waiheke trip.
* They will also be using energy- efficient lighting and upgrading propellers.