Ship building company Incat Tasmania has launched the Incat Hull 096 which the company said is the world’s largest battery-electric ship. It was originally going to be commissioned as an LNG vessel, but both builder and buyer decided to pivot.
“This is a historic day–not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat Chairman Robert Clifford. “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 is equipped with over 250 tons of batteries and an Energy Storage System (ESS) with more than 40 megawatt-hours of installed capacity. The ESS, which the company said is four times larger than any previous maritime installation in the world, is connected to eight electric driven waterjets and supplied by leading technology partner Wärtsilä. The company said this combination of technology sets a new global benchmark for the shipping industry.
The ninth Incat-built vessel for South American ferry operator Buquebus, the ship will enter service between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. It will operate entirely on battery-electric power, carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate.
“For me, it’s a true source of pride to see Buquebus’ vision come to life,” said Buquebus President Juan Carlos López Mena. “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. It’s a true milestone achieved between private companies, driven by our commitment to sustainability and our ongoing pursuit of service excellence.”
“We are proud to have collaborated with Incat and Buquebus in launching the world’s largest battery-electric ship,” said Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine and Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. “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.”
Work will now continue completing the vessel’s interior, which includes a 2,300 square metre duty-free retail deck–the largest shopping space on any ferry in the world. Final fit-out, battery installation, and energy system integration will take place ahead of sea trials later this year on the River Derwent.
At 130 meters in length, Hull 096 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.
“This ship puts Tasmania and Australia firmly on the world stage,” Clifford added. “We’re incredibly proud of what our team has achieved – and this is only the beginning.”
