World's largest electric ship', Buquebus' China Zorilla starts service on Argentina-Uruguay route

The Incat Tasmania-built, 130-m battery-electric ferry China Zorrilla has completed its first commercial passenger voyage for Buquebus between Argentina and UruguayThe world’s largest battery-electric ship has entered commercial service, with Incat Tasmania’s China Zorrilla completing its maiden passenger voyage between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Colonia, Uruguay.The 130-m vessel, previously known as Incat Hull 096, was built at the shipbuilder’s Hobart yard for long-standing customer Buquebus and can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate. 

Its first commercial voyage followed an official launch ceremony in Buenos Aires on 21 October, attended by representatives from Incat and Buquebus alongside maritime authorities from Argentina and Uruguay. 

China Zorrilla is powered entirely by batteries, with more than 250 tonnes of batteries installed onboard and an energy storage system exceeding 40 MWh.The battery system supplies eight electrically driven waterjets, enabling the high-speed ferry to operate without conventional diesel propulsion.

Incat chairman Robert Clifford said the vessel demonstrated that large, high-capacity commercial ships could operate using battery-electric propulsion.“This ship proves that large, high-capacity commercial vessels can operate on electric power,” he said.

The electric propulsion system also eliminates diesel-engine noise, vibration and exhaust emissions during operation, changing the onboard environment for passengers.The ferry incorporates approximately 2,300 m² of duty-free retail space alongside its passenger and vehicle capacity.

The vessel’s entry into service comes as Incat expands construction of large battery and hybrid-electric ferries at its Hobart shipyard.Three 129-m battery-electric ferries are currently under construction for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen, alongside two 78-m hybrid-electric vessels.

The projects extend Incat’s work on battery propulsion into a series of large commercial ferries following the completion and entry into service of China Zorrilla.

China Zorrilla will provide services between Argentina and Uruguay for Buquebus. The 2,100-passenger and 225-vehicle-capacity ferry is fitted with 41.2 MWh of batteries supplied by Corvus Energy. 

Source:Maasmond Maritime