In Tasmania, the company Incat launched what is claimed to be the world’s largest electric ferry, the China Zorrilla. Measuring almost 130 meters in length, the ship was built for Uruguay’s Buquebus. It will be used on the route between Buenos Aires and Colonia, carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 cars.
The key feature is a battery system with a record capacity of 40 MWh, which is four times higher than the figures reported for other battery-powered ships. The change was made possible after the customer declined liquefied gas in favor of complete electrification.
Maritime transport accounts for 2% of global CO₂ emissions, and projects like China Zorrilla could meaningfully alter the picture. Electrifying the fleet could reduce emissions by up to 75% by 2050. The new ferry is not just a record, but a significant step toward more sustainable shipping.
