Stockton ferry grounded by mechanical fault again
The MV Hunter ferry between Stockton and Queen's Wharf shut down Monday due to mechanical issues; replacement buses run every 30 minutes.
The Stockton ferry stopped Monday morning due to a mechanical problem. Replacement buses now operate every 30 minutes between Stockton and Queen's Wharf.
The backup vessel, MV Shortland, is being fixed in Sydney. Ferry problems have caused trouble on the Newcastle Harbour route over the past year.
Last November and December, multiple cancellations occurred, with one lasting almost a week. NSW announced a $5 million upgrade program in May for both ferries over 18 months.
The MV Shortland is currently being upgraded. The MV Hunter is scheduled for upgrades in August 2027.
- MV Hunter
- Ferry
- Stockton to Queen's Wharf
- Route
- Every 30 minutes
- Replacement frequency
- 5 million dollars
- Upgrade cost
Why it mattersStockton commuters depend on the ferry for transport, and recurring failures undermine confidence in the service and force them onto slower replacement buses.
AustraliaNewcastle's Stockton residents face ongoing ferry disruptions while waiting for the state refurbishment program to improve the aging vessels.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
