Image supplied
The world’s largest 100 per cent battery electric ship has been officially launched at a shipyard in Hobart and is almost ready for service in South American waters, where it will ferry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles between Argentina and Uruguay.
The 130 metre, zero emissions Hull 096 was constructed by Tasmanian ship builder, Incat, for South American ferry operator Buquebus.
The vessel, originally intended to be fuelled by gas, will be equipped with over 250 tonnes of batteries and with an energy storage capacity of more than 40 megawatt-hours – four times larger than any previous maritime installation in the world.
The energy storage system (ESS) is connected to eight electric driven waterjets that are being supplied by Finnish energy tech giant Wärtsilä.
With the vessel’s construction complete, the focus will now turn to finishing off its interior, which includes a 2,300 square metre retail deck – the largest shopping space on any ferry in the world.
Incat says the ship’s final fit-out, battery installation, and energy system integration will take place ahead of sea trials later this year on the River Derwent in Tasmania.
Incat chair Robert Clifford said on Friday that the launch of the huge craft marked an historic day, both for the company and for the future of maritime transport.
“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,” Clifford said in a statement.
“This ship changes the game.”
For Buquebus, the Hull 096 marks the ninth vessel Incat has built for the ferry operator, but the first that is zero emissions.
“When we were evaluating this new vessel, Robert Clifford told me, ‘The next ship I deliver to you will be 100% electric’,” said Buquebus president Juan Carlos López Mena.
“I replied, ‘Then the next one must be the one we’re commissioning today.’ And with great courage, he said, ‘Together, we’re going to make history.’
“That’s how we began reconfiguring the China Zorrilla – originally planned to run on LNG – into a fully electric vessel. It’s a true milestone achieved between private companies, driven by our commitment to sustainability and our ongoing pursuit of service excellence.”
At 130 metres in length, Incat claims the 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 says. “We’re incredibly proud of what our team has achieved – and this is only the beginning.”
“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.”
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
Utility ActewAGL has launched what it claims is the capital's largest mixed-use electric vehicle charging…
A fake British government media release outlining a new policy on reducing the capacity of…
BYD's cheapest best-seller EV launched in Europe, along with a new name, bigger footprint and…
Tesla's fastest Australian-bound SUV spied, testing in Germany ahead of imminent launch.
Fleet of five ID. Buzz Cargo electric vans have been delivered to Schindler Lifts Australia,…
Volvo Trucks unveils a new long-distance electric truck which boasts up to 600 kilometres of…
View Comments
I hope they are going to cover the roof with PV panels
Yeah, I was wondering how they're going to charge such a beast.
How long does it need to dock in order to refuel?
Buquebus has exclusive rights to the ports on both sides of the river, so they're investing in fast charging infrastructure on both sides to recharge the batteries in 60-90 minutes.
From memory, they were building the charging infrastructure capability/capacity based on the turnaround time of the vessel once docked. Thermal management for that's going to be fun!
The amount of energy generated by panels on the roof wouldn't be worth the bother. It takes about 90 mins to recharge at port which is about the same as the turn around time required. The energy used for recharging at both ports is 100% renewable
Incat congratulations on this milestone.
Might be a game changer for refueling as well.
Battery change over might be a five minute automated task once in port and could see it as a thirty minute task if out at sea.
Might also take advantage of regeneration from wave power and there is a large range of options for generating electrical power from sea water
How do you get it from Tasmania to south America? What is its battery range?
Potential recharging options - towing, with turbines in the water flow, offshore wind farm?
Its range will be at least 80km but it will be shipped to South America on a larger, transport ship.
certainly not by Dutton's nuclear fantasy. get back to Sky News and have a cry over there L
It's funny you should mention that. Nuclear-powered ships like an aircraft carrrier can operate unrestricted for about 20 years without needing to refuel. This ferry will need a heavy-lift ship to get it to Argentina before even going into its short-range operation. I'm not saying it isn't impressive, but comparing it to nuclear ....
You've read into that something that's not there. Cecil is talking about the recharging options, not its internal power source. Anyone with half a brain would know that. Enjoy your half-life.
No, the original question was how you get the boat to South America. But even on the issue of charging when it is in service, Argentina has nuclear power, so it will be partly charged using "Dutton's fantasy".
Water and electricity together. What could possibly go wrong ?
You mean like wind farms, swimming pools, hydro dams, the electrical system in every boat and ship in the past 100 years, the internet, your car in the rain last week, that sort of thing?