World's largest battery-electric ship, built by Incat Tasmania, begins passenger service in South America

The world’s largest battery-electric ship, a 130-metre vessel made in Australian by Incat Tasmania, has officially started ferrying passengers – including cars and buses – between Argentina and Uruguay in South America.

Incat Tasmania announced on Friday that the China Zorrilla had completed its history-making maiden commercial voyage between Buenos Aires and Colonia, after being delivered to its new owner, Buquebus, in September.

Powered entirely by batteries, China Zorrilla is the largest electric ship ever built and is capable of carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate, a 30 nautical mile route.

In a statement, Incat said the boat’s commencement of service – following an official launch ceremony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday – had brought to life was one of the “proudest moments” in the company’s history.

Robert Clifford said the vessel’s entry into service was one of the proudest moments in the company’s history.

“This is a truly historic day for Incat, for Tasmania and for the global maritime industry,” said Incat chair, Robert Clifford.

“For years, hundreds of talented people at our Hobart shipyard have worked tirelessly to bring this extraordinary vessel to life. We’ve overcome enormous technical challenges, pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible and built something the world has never seen before.

“To now see this ship carrying passengers in commercial service, powered entirely by batteries, is an incredible achievement and a moment of enormous pride for everyone who has been part of the journey.”

As The Driven has reported, the Buquebus had originally intended to order an LNG-powered ferry, but the South American company decided in 2023 that it wanted it to be 100 per cent battery-powered and emissions free.

The first of four of the boat’s “battery rooms” was energised in October of 2025 before an official e-motor trial in December fully powered up the vessel’s battery systems. 

A month later, China Zorrilla began undertaking harbour trials in Tasmania’s River Derwent, marking the first time it had moved under its own battery-electric propulsion.

The ferry’s delivery to its new home was undertaken by one of the world’s largest heavy-lift semi-submersible vessels, the MV Black Marlin.

Now that the ferry is being put to work, Clifford says it has demonstrated that the transition to large-scale electric shipping is no longer a vision for the future.

“This ship proves that large, high-capacity commercial vessels can operate on electric power, and that passengers can enjoy a completely different experience in the process, without the traditional diesel-engine noise, vibration or exhaust emissions,” he said on Friday.

“What makes this achievement even more special is that it all started in Tasmania. The skills, ingenuity and determination of our workforce have delivered something that will be talked about in the maritime industry for years to come.”

Incat managing director Craig Clifford was aboard China Zorrilla for the “incredibly rewarding” maiden commercial voyage, and says what really stands out is the passenger experience.

“When you’re aboard a vessel of this size, you naturally expect to hear and feel the machinery working beneath you. On Hull 096 [the former name of China Zorrilla], that familiar engine noise and vibration simply aren’t there.

“It’s one thing to talk about what electric shipping can deliver, but it’s another thing entirely to experience it firsthand. I think passengers are going to be genuinely surprised by just how different this vessel feels.”

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