Incat Tasmania Building World's Largest Lightweight Battery Electric Ship for South American Customer
Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania is currently engaged in the construction of what it claims to be the world's largest lightweight battery electric ship, set to be delivered to a client in South America.
Specializing in high-speed and lightweight catamarans, Incat Tasmania aims to take the lead in producing electric ferries globally.
The 130m battery-electric Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferry will utilize a 40MWh energy system, which is four times larger than any previously constructed battery installation in the marine transport sector.
Even the onshore charging systems for the vessel will have a 50% greater capacity compared to existing installations. The electric motors, driven by the batteries, will power a water jet propulsion system. The integration of the electrical system is being undertaken by Wärtsilä and ESS by Corvus Energy.
Designed to accommodate 2,100 passengers and crew, along with 225 cars, plus a duty-free shop spanning over 2,000 square meters, the Ro-Pax ferry is destined for the South American customer Buquebus. This ferry company operates in Uruguay and Argentina, providing bus and ferry services connecting Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Colonia, and Punta del Este.
Incat Tasmania has also revealed that it's concurrently working on a second, smaller battery electric ferry.
Robert Clifford, the founder of Incat Tasmania, expressed pride in constructing this pioneering vessel for Buquebus, a company that shares their vision of being at the forefront of low-emission shipping globally.
Feedback from overseas has been highly positive, and it is anticipated that Incat Tasmania will see numerous battery electric ships produced in Tasmania.
Thanks to Tasmania's achievement of net-zero emissions, it stands as the sole location globally capable of building zero-emission, battery electric ships within an already net-zero emissions environment, benefiting their customers.