This ship’s electric! Tasmania launches vessel making waves in green transport

In an industry often criticised for its environmental footprint, a sleek newcomer is making a splash. Tasmanian shipbuilding powerhouse Incat has just floated out the world’s largest battery-powered ship.

The China Zorrilla, named after a Uruguayan actress, isn’t just big – it’s colossal. At 130 metres, this electric giant is “not only the largest electric ship in the world, but also the largest electric vehicle of its kind ever built – and one of the most significant single export items in Australia’s manufacturing history”, according to Incat.

The ferry can carry 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles between Argentina and Uruguay without a puff of exhaust. It will also feature a massive 2,300 square metre duty-free retail deck – the largest shopping space on any ferry worldwide.

What makes this maritime marvel even more remarkable is its origin story, the vessel was initially designed to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The transformation wasn’t simple – the ship now carries more than 250 tonnes of batteries with 40 megawatt-hours of capacity, “four times larger than any previous maritime installation” according to Incat.

“We’re not just building a ship – we’re building the future,” said Incat CEO Stephen Casey. “Hull 096 proves that large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, they are ready now. This is a proud day for Tasmania and for Australian manufacturing.”

It comes after the UN’s maritime authority set ambitious targets for shipping to reach net-zero emissions by around 2050. This vessel isn’t just hitting those targets – it’s demonstrating what’s possible years ahead of schedule.

While the China Zorrilla’s exterior is now complete engineers will install the massive battery system before sea trials begin later this year on the River Derwent in Tasmania.

“Ferries play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for environmentally sustainable transport options, with ship electrification a key solution for enabling the sector to transition towards net-zero emissions,” said Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä Marine and executive vice president at Wärtsilä Corporation.

Picture: credit LinkedIn