Upon being awarded the contract to operate the Sydney Ferries concession in 2019, Transdev Sydney Ferries placed an order for 10 new ferries to be built in Indonesia.[3]
The first four arrived in Newcastle in August 2020 for final works and trials. The ferries were purchased to replace the SuperCat and HarbourCat-class Ferries.[4][5] All were named after artists, athletes and authors.[6]
The first entered service in October 2021, confined to daytime service until deemed suitable for night time operations.[7]
A number of issues and defects on the ferries, totalling 43, delayed the service commencement dates by well over a year.[when?]
Identified issues and delays on the ferries included the presence of asbestos, sub-standard fit and finish, wheelhouse window angles making night operations dangerous, engine stalling, potential of fires or electrocution caused by sub standard electrical equipment and sub-standard steering components.[9][10]
