An Australian boat manufacturer has unveiled the largest battery-powered vessel in the world, known as Hull 096. Constructed by Incat, a company based in Tasmania, this impressive ship spans 130 meters in length. Launched last Friday in Hobart, Hull 096 is set to operate under the name China Zorrilla, with the capacity to carry approximately 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. The vessel is named after a renowned Uruguayan film and theater actor. This battery-electric ferry will connect the city of Montevideo in Uruguay with two other towns in the country, as well as the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, as reported by The Guardian. Although the ship’s interiors are still under construction, it will feature a duty-free retail shopping area measuring 2,300 square meters, equivalent to the size of about 100 average Australian homes. Hull 096 is equipped with over 250 tonnes of batteries and an energy storage system (ESS) boasting a capacity exceeding 40 megawatt-hours, which is four times larger than any previous maritime installation and connects to eight electric-powered water jets. The batteries will provide power for the ship for a duration of 90 minutes. Once fully completed, it is expected to have the largest shopping area of any ship globally, according to Incat. In addition to being the largest electric vessel, Hull 096 is also recognized as the largest electric vehicle ever constructed, measuring 130 meters in length. Incat’s chairman, Robert Clifford, stated, ‘With over 40 years of experience in building world-class vessels in Tasmania, Hull 096 represents our most ambitious, complex, and significant project to date.’ He further expressed Incat’s commitment to producing as many sustainable ships as possible for both the domestic and international markets. Stephen Casey, CEO of Incat, emphasized that Hull 096 showcases the feasibility and availability of large-scale, low-emission transport solutions. Tasmania’s Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, remarked during the launch that the state has emerged as a global leader in the advancement of zero-emission technology, thanks to the introduction of this new electric ship.
