Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania is currently working on construction of what is says is the world’s largest lightweight battery electric ship that will be delivered to a customer in South America.
The maker of high-speed and lightweight catamarans is hoping to lead the world in producing electric ferries.
The 130m battery-electric Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferry will be powered by a 40MWh energy system four-times larger than any battery installation that has been constructed and installed for the marine transport sector.
Even the ship’s shore-side charging systems will boast 50% more capacity than any current installation. Te batteries will power a series of electric motors which drive the water jet propulsion system. Electrical system integration is being completed by Wärtsilä and ESS by Corvus Energy.
Capable of carrying 2,100 passengers and crew, 225 cars, as well as a duty free shop of over 2,000 square metres, the Ro-Pax ferry will be delivered to South American customer Buquebus, a ferry company operating in Uruguay and Argentina offering bus and ferry services between Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Colonia, and Punta del Este.
Incat Tasmania also announced that it is working on a second but smaller battery electric ferry.
“We are proud to be building in Tasmania this first in class ship for Buquebus who like us share a vision to be at the leading edge of low emission shipping in the world,” said Robert Clifford, founder of Incat Tasmania.
“The feedback from overseas has been extraordinarily positive I expect that we are going to see many more battery electric ships built here at Incat in Tasmania.
“Due to Tasmania already having achieved overall net zero emissions we are the only location on the planet that is able to construct zero-emission, battery electric ships in an already net zero emissions environment for our customers.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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