At Incat Tasmania’s Hobart shipyard, work continues on Hull 096 – the world’s largest electric ferry – with one of the vessel’s four battery rooms now receiving electrical charge ahead of sea trials later in 2025.
Each of the ship’s four battery rooms houses a portion of the 5,016 battery units being installed across the vessel – a total of around 250t of batteries.
The ship’s Energy Storage System (ESS) delivers an installed capacity of more than 40MWh, making it four times larger than any previous maritime installation. The ESS is supplied and integrated through Incat’s technology partners Wartsila and Corvus Energy, and connected to eight electric-driven waterjets, considered to set a new global benchmark for sustainable ship propulsion.
Incat CEO Stephen Casey said: “To stand inside one of these battery rooms really brings home the scale of what’s being achieved here. This vessel represents a step change for the global ferry industry – proof that large-scale, sustainable vessels are not only possible, but practical and commercially viable. Our team has combined decades of aluminium shipbuilding experience with cutting-edge clean energy technology to deliver something truly world-leading. It’s a project that shows what Tasmanian innovation can contribute to the future of maritime transport.”
Each of the four battery rooms has been purpose-designed and precision-engineered to house advanced energy storage modules, which will supply clean, reliable power to the vessel’s propulsion and onboard systems.
When complete, Hull 096 will operate for South American company Buquebus, connecting Buenos Aires, Argentina and Colonia, Uruguay – a journey that will be completed entirely on battery power.
Casey added: “As we move closer to completion, every milestone reminds us how far the industry has come. This isn’t just about building a ship, it’s about setting a new course for the future of clean maritime travel.”
Image: One of the four battery rooms on the latest Incat-built ferry (source: Incat TAsmanis)
