Case Study: Q-West Boat Builders achieves high-speed ferry propulsion with Cummins

New Zealand’s Q-West To Built High-Speed Ferry

Q-West Boat Builders, based on the Wanganui River in New Zealand, needed a reliable propulsion and power setup for a new high-speed catamaran ferry being built for the Fullers Group’s Auckland fleet. The vessel had to carry 338 passengers and serve island routes in the Hauraki Gulf, so performance, capacity, and dependable onboard power were key requirements.

Cummins supplied a pair of QSK38-M engines, each rated at 1,400 HP at 1,800 RPM, along with Cummins 6B-powered 100 kVA generators. This solution powers the ferry to an operational speed of 26 knots while also providing electrical service for onboard systems, helping Q-West deliver a capable, efficient people carrier for New Zealand ferry operations.

Q-West Boat Builders

Colin Mitchell

General Manager