Crowds gathered at the Incat shipyard in Hobart last week to witness the launch of the Incat Hull 096 – the world’s largest battery-electric ship.
Bound for service between Buenos Aires and Uruguay; the Hull 096 was developed for ferry operator Buquebus and features a carrying capacity of up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles on its journeys across the River Plate.
The ship is powered by more than 250 tonnes of batteries and is equipped with an Energy Storage System (ESS) four times larger than any previous maritime installation across the world, touting over 40 megawatt-hours of installed capacity.
The vessel’s ESS connects to a series of eight electric driven waterjets, each of which was supplied by tecnology partners Wärtsilä.
Incat Chairman Robert Clifford, said:We’ve been building world-leading vessels here in Tasmania for more than four decades, and Hull 096 is the most ambitious, most complex, and most important project we’ve ever delivered. This ship changes the game.
The ship, which is the ninth vessel Incat has specifically constructed for Buquebus, is now ready to receive an interior transformation, plans for which include the installation of a 2,300 square metre duty-free retail deck. Final fit-out, battery installation, and energy system integration will take place ahead of sea trials later this year on the River Derwent.
Buquebus President Juan Carlos López Mena, said:For me, it’s a true source of pride to see Buquebus’ vision come to life.
When we were evaluating this new vessel, Robert Clifford told me, 'The next ship I deliver to you will be 100% electric.’ I replied, ‘Then the next one must be the one we’re commissioning today.’ And with great courage, he said, ‘Together, we’re going to make history.’ That’s how we began reconfiguring the China Zorrilla – originally planned to run on LNG – into a fully electric vessel. It’s a true milestone achieved between private companies, driven by our commitment to sustainability and our ongoing pursuit of service excellence.
