The vessel is the fourth of seven new Northern Beaches-designed Parramatta River Class ferries being built by ship builder Richardson Devine Marine.
The vessel’s namesake is University of New South Wales global solar technology pioneer, Professor Martin Green.
The Martin Green covered her 630 nautical mile journey in just three days, stopping at Flinders Island, then briefly in Eden for fuel before sailing through the night to Sydney, with a crew of four expert mariners.
She passed through Sydney Heads at 3am on Tuesday morning and is now being thoroughly cleaned before the first passengers hop on board in the next few weeks.
Martin Green will predominantly run in the calm river conditions of the F3 route, between Parramatta and Circular Quay.
The Parramatta River Class ferries will be a significant improvement on the River Class ferries procured by the former government that did not fit under some bridges with passengers on the top deck, contained asbestos, were a potential fire risk and had wheelhouse windows that made night operations dangerous.
The seven new vessels are gradually replacing the RiverCat and SuperCat vessels which are retiring after 30 years of service.
Each vessel in the new Parramatta River Class fleet has a 200-person capacity, while using 40 per cent less diesel and are also future proofed for conversion to electric propulsion when the technology and network infrastructure become available.
They are more reliable and include more comfortable seating, upgraded safety systems and provide greater accessibility.
A team of 60 people are working to build the remaining three vessels which are expected to enter passenger service by the end of the year.
The next ferry in the new Parramatta River Class fleet is due for delivery by April 2025.
Quotes attributable to Premier Chris Minns:
“Passengers in areas like Parramatta, Meadowbank and Drummoyne will soon have access to another brand-new ferry for their commute.
“These are state-of-the-art vessels, designed in Sydney and made in Australia.
“We have now taken delivery of most of the new fleet, giving commuters along the Parramatta River the reliable and comfortable services they deserve.”
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen:
“It’s exciting to see the fourth ferry in our new Parramatta River Class fleet enter the Sydney heads and prepare to serve passengers in the coming weeks.
“This state-of-the-art fleet was designed in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and built in Hobart.
“It is fitting that this vessel is named after solar pioneer Martin Green. This ferry has arrived ready to be converted to electric operation in the coming years, so one day, The Martin Green could be charged at a wharf using the very solar cell technology that Professor Martin Green played such a key role in developing.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Martin Green:
"I never imagined I would one day have a ferry named after me—what an incredible honour!
“I take great pride in knowing that this ferry is designed and built in Australia. It’s fulfilling to see such a magnificent and more sustainable vessel serving as transportation for thousands of people in our beautiful city every day.
“The Sydney to Parramatta route is one of my favourite ferry journeys, and I am thrilled to see a vessel bearing my name traverse this route daily.”
About Professor Martin Green
Professor Martin Green is Scientia Professor at UNSW Sydney and Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.
Professor Green pioneered solar technology development in Australia and is often described as “the father of modern photovoltaics”.
Over a 50-year career at UNSW Sydney he has led the development of the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) – the world’s most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell technology. Today, his PERC technology is used in the production of more than 90% of the world’s solar energy.
There would be no modern solar industry as we know it today without Prof. Green’s work developing the PERC. Prof. Green and his UNSW colleagues are credited with making solar power a prime weapon in the battle to control climate change.
Fifty years on from when he started, Prof. Green is still at the forefront of clean energy technology, continuing to work on new ways to drastically improve the efficiency of solar cells.
