World’s largest electric ferry takes to the water
The largest battery-electric vessel ever built has been launched in Australia by Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat.
Currently known as Hull 096, the 130m ship is set to operate between Argentina and Uruguay on the La Plata River. Its 250 tonnes of batteries will provide more than 40MW/h of power, said to be four times larger than any previous maritime battery installation.
The massive Energy Storage System (ESS) will enable the ship to operate for up to 90 minutes, with chargers on both sides of the river allowing it to fully top up in about 40 minutes.
The ship was constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus. Once in service under the name China Zorilla – a grand dame of South American theatre and film who died in 2014 - the vessel will carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the famous body of water.
“This is a historic day – not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat chairman Robert Clifford.
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