130 meters long: World’s largest electric ship begins commercial operations
The world’s largest electric ship has begun commercial operations in South America. The 130-meter-long “China Zorrilla” can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. The electric ferry was built by the Australian company Incat Tasmania for the shipping line Buquebus.
Electric Ship “China Zorrilla” in Buenos Aires
Image: Buquebus
The electric ship, which was known as Hull 096 during its construction and testing phase, has now completed its first commercial voyage between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia in Uruguay. It was named after Concepción “China” Zorrilla, a popular Uruguayan actress and director in both countries — which explains the name’s unusual sound to German speakers.
The ship was built by Incat Tasmania for the South American shipping company Buquebus. This fully electric ferry can transport up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the Río de la Plata. Its energy storage system has a capacity of over 40 MWh; the batteries together weigh more than 250 tons. Eight electric waterjet propulsion systems provide thrust.
A Historic Day for Shipping
Incat describes the vessel’s commissioning as a major milestone for the electrification of shipping. Company CEO Robert Clifford said, “This is a truly historic day for Incat, for Tasmania, and for the global maritime industry. Over the years, hundreds of talented people at our shipyard in Hobart have worked tirelessly to bring this extraordinary ship to life. We’ve overcome enormous technical challenges, pushed the boundaries of what was once thought possible, and created something the world has never seen before.”
The fact that this ship is now carrying passengers in commercial service, powered entirely by battery electricity, is an incredible achievement and “a moment of great pride for everyone who was involved in this journey,” Clifford added.
From Incat’s perspective, the “China Zorrilla” demonstrates that even large commercial ships with high carrying capacity can be powered entirely by electricity. Additionally, the battery-electric propulsion system is intended to provide passengers with a smoother ride free from the engine noises and vibrations typical of diesel engines. And naturally, eliminating the need for an internal combustion engine means no direct emissions on board.
Originally planned as an LNG ship
Incat received the order for this ship in the summer of 2023. Initially, the ferry was designed with an LNG propulsion system, but the concept was later changed to a fully battery-electric drive. The ship is built as an aluminum catamaran.
While the “China Zorrilla” was still under construction, Incat received an order for additional electric ships in a similar format: Three 129-meter-long electric ferries are currently being built at the Hobart shipyard for the Danish operator Molslinjen, which will be used on the Kattegat route in the future.
_Source: via email_, linkedin.com (Spanish with video)