Incat Tasmania to deliver world’s largest all-electric ferry

Shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has commenced construction of a lightweight aluminum ferry that it said will be the largest 100% battery-electric vessel yet built. The 40 MWh battery energy storage system is expected to be the largest installed on a ship – four times bigger than the current largest installation.

The catamaran, designed to carry both passengers and freight, is being built for South American customer Buquebus and will operate between Argentina and Uruguay. The vessel will be capable of carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 cars at up to 25 knots.

Wartsila has been nominated to provide the electric propulsion and waterjet system that will power the vessel. The Finnish company will also provide the energy management, power conversion and DC shore-charging systems for the project.

Wartsila has selected Norwegian maritime energy storage systems specialist Corvus Energy to supply the battery systems.

The battery systems are scheduled for delivery in the latter part of 2024 with the vessel to be delivered in 2025.

Incat said it has already started working toward the construction of a second but smaller battery-electric vehicle and passenger ferry.