Eco-Friendly Tasmanian Ferries

Visitors to Maria Island, Tasmania, will soon travel aboard an eco-friendly passenger ferry powered by locally produced green methanol. The fuel, derived primarily from forestry wood waste, will come from one of two biomass methanol projects in the state’s northwest.

Tasmania’s Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, confirmed $650,000 in funding to help ferry operator Encounter Maria Island acquire the vessel, which is slated to begin service by late 2026, in time for the summer tourism season. The initiative supports sustainable transport while meeting growing visitor demand.

“First stage will be implementing a best practice, lowest emissions possible solution while green methanol engines and fuel becomes available. Once available, the vessel will be ready for the transition to future fuels. “A vessel has a life of over 30 years, and we know that in this period diesel will not be the fuel of choice.”

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