One of the world’s largest heavy lift vessels, the Black Marlin, has arrived in Hobart ahead of its role in transporting Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric ship, to its new home in South America.
Hull 096 has been built by Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmani for South American customer Buquebús, which originally ordered a vessel powered by LNG but decided in 2023 to have it powered by battery.
The first of four of Hull 096’s “battery rooms” was energised in October of 2025 before an official e-motor trial in December fully powered up the vessel’s battery systems. A month later, Hull 096 began its all-important harbour trials in the River Derwent, marking the first time it had moved under its own battery-electric propulsion.
Since then, Hull 096 has been undergoing regular harbour trials up until her final journey under her own power on the River Derwent over the weekend.
Hull 096 was then relocated from the Incat shipyard to Macquarie Wharf ahead of its planned loading aboard the Black Marlin.
The 217-metre-long, semi-submersible heavy-lift Black Marlin is capable of carrying some of the world’s largest marine structures and is one of the largest vessels to ever enter Tasmania’s River Derwent.
The Black Marlin will undergo final preparations over the next couple of days before Hull 096 is carefully floated aboard in what Incat Tasmania describes as being “one of the most complex maritime operations ever undertaken in Tasmania.”
The semi-submersible Black Marlin will submerge its cargo deck beneath the waterline by taking on ballast, allowing Hull 096 to be manoeuvred into position above the deck, before the ballast water is pumped out and the cargo deck lifted clear of the water.
Once loaded later this week, Hull 096 will depart Hobart aboard Black Marlin for Argentina, where it will operate between Argentina and Uruguay.
“The arrival of Black Marlin brings us one step closer to delivering the world’s largest battery-electric ship to its customer,” said Robert Clifford, Incat chairman.
“Over the weekend we watched Hull 096 make her final journey under her own power through the River Derwent, and now our attention turns to the loading operation that will see her begin her voyage to South America.
“After years of design, engineering and construction, we’re now preparing for one of the most significant maritime operations ever undertaken in Tasmania. It’s another proud milestone for our team and everyone who has contributed to this remarkable project.”
You can listen to a fascinating interview with Incat’s Robert Clifford on sister site Renew Economy’s Switched On podcast: SwitchedOn podcast: Inside the world’s largest battery electric ferry
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