Tasmanian government announces $5.25 million grant for Incat’s expansion

The Tasmanian government, which is seeking re-election on March 23, has said it will provide $5.25 million in matched funding to support an expansion by aluminium-bodied shipbuilder Incat. 

“We are investing $5.25 million and Incat are investing $5.25 million into this expansion, which will support up to 500 new jobs over the next three years, including 100 in the first 12 months,” said Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff in a statement on Wednesday.

“Incat will double its workforce and its capacity, with new production halls, more floor space and Tasmania’s first marine recharging facilities.

“The new recharging facilities for electric ferries will future proof the site as the industry transitions to battery electric in coming years.”

Incat’s expansion plan will enable the shipyard, located at the company’s headquarters at Hobart’s Derwent Park, to produce multiple battery electric vessels each year, according to the statement.

The company announced its first electric ferry for export, a 148-metre-long catamaran sold to Argentina’s Buquebus, in early-2023.

Incat welcomed 15 new apprentices to its Hobart shipyard in January this year, including the highest intake of female apprentices in the company’s history.

Chairman Robert Clifford said at the time that it was the most exciting period in the company’s history to be joining.

“We are currently building the largest battery electric zero emission ship in the world, and we are also well advanced with our discussions for the next build as well,” he said last month. 

“We had a record number of applications for this apprenticeship intake at almost three times the amount for the same period last year.”

Clifford co-founded International Catamarans with naval architect Philip Hercus, with the company launching its first high-speed, wave-piercing catamaran in 1977.

Picture: credit Incat

Further reading

Apprentice surge as Incat doubles Hobart workforce

Incat offers smaller electric ferry alongside its flagship

Big battery for Incat’s first electric car and passenger ferry

Incat sells first electric passenger and vehicle ferry