Australia: ‘World’s largest’ battery electric ferry begins new chapter

The world’s largest battery-electric ship has officially touched water for the first time, marking a major milestone in sustainable maritime transport.

Named China Zorrilla, the vessel — formally known as Incat Hull 096 — was launched on May 2 at Incat Tasmania’s shipyard in Hobart, Australia.

At 130 metres in length, Incat Hull 096 is now the biggest electric ship ever constructed and is also considered the largest electric vehicle ever built, as per Offshore Energy.

It is the ninth high-speed catamaran that Incat has produced for Buquebus, a ferry operator based in Uruguay.

The vessel is powered by an advanced energy storage system (ESS) containing more than 250 tonnes of batteries and over 40 megawatt-hours of installed capacity.

The propulsion system is driven by eight electric waterjets and supplied by Finnish clean energy leader Wartsila.

“We are proud to have collaborated with Incat and Buquebus in launching the world’s largest battery-electric ship,” said Roger Holm, President of Wartsila Marine and Executive Vice President of Wartsila Corp.

“Ferries are essential to providing environmentally sustainable transport solutions, and ship electrification is a key enabler in moving the sector towards net-zero emissions.”

The new ferry is expected to make a significant environmental impact, with estimated annual savings of up to 37,545 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with reductions in other harmful pollutants.

Following its launch, work will continue on outfitting the vessel’s interior, installing its battery systems, and integrating its energy components. Sea trials are scheduled for later this year on the River Derwent, with final delivery to Buquebus expected by the end of 2025.

Incat Tasmania had originally designed the vessel to operate on a clean fuel source but later decided to reengineer it for fully battery-electric operation to achieve a higher level of environmental sustainability.

Structural completion was reached in September 2024.

Looking ahead, Incat plans to maintain its focus on electric and hybrid ferry construction to meet rising demand within Australia and beyond, aligning with the broader push toward decarbonization in maritime transport.

On a global scale, Incat Tasmania is also partnering with Wartsila and French operator Brittany Ferries to develop a 137-metre zero-emissions vessel.

Announced in May 2024, this collaboration aims to design and define technical requirements for a new generation of sustainable ferries.

Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu described the initiative as “an important step on the way to net zero.”