Earlier this week, Sydneysiders awoke to reports of ferries “exploding”. Mechanical issues, metal shards flying across engine rooms, officials scrambling to assure commuters will be okay. Old wounds were re-opened over cheap, imported vessels which could have been built in Australia.

All is not okay. While the rest of the world is supporting local industry to bring in a greener, cheaper, more reliable ferry future, Sydney looks to be renewing its commitment to a dirty, troubled past. On November 28, despite Federal and State climate commitments, NSW Transport Minister David Elliot announced a tender to build seven new diesel ferries, expected to produce up to 350,000 tonnes of avoidable carbon emissions over their lifetime.

Worse still, the new ferries will be virtually identical to the last ones, which have faced frequent complaints around suitability, quality, reliability and the export of Australian manufacturing jobs.

The problems of the past seem to be here to stay but it doesn’t have to be this way. Sydney’s new ferries can, and should, be electric.

Electric ferries are technically, operationally and economically feasible not only for Parramatta but for Manly and everywhere in between. Electric is not only viable, it’s better: the initial investment is offset by much lower fuel and maintenance costs and the change in reliability will be a welcome relief for frustrated commuters. How many more diesel boats must be built, how much more nitrogen and sulphur oxides inhaled, before Sydney embraces the cleaner and brighter future promised by its leaders?

As CEO of EV Maritime, I have a firsthand view of the rapid decarbonisation occurring across the maritime sector. It’s happening everywhere – just not in Australia.

Auckland has committed to no new diesel ferries and is on a pathway to fully decarbonise its ferries by 2035. California now requires zero tailpipe emissions on all short-haul ferries by 2025.

Wellington, New York, Stockholm, San Francisco, Stavanger, Hong Kong, Halifax and countless other world cities are electrifying their passenger ferries right now. But not in Sydney, where there is apparently time for another round of diesel boats.

Australia appears determined to fall further behind in maritime decarbonisation. This puts not only climate but jobs at risk. If Australian boat builders don’t establish a position in electric boats soon, they will be left exposed to global competitors bringing a proven electric track record.

The technology is proven, the benefits are clear, the economics are sound. Further entrenchment of dirty diesel technologies is increasingly untenable.

Michael Eaglen is the CEO of EV Maritime