HSC China Zorrilla
HSC China Zorrilla at the Incat shipyard
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Uruguay | |
| Name | HSC China Zorrilla |
| Namesake | China Zorrilla, Uruguayan actor |
| Owner | 2025-present : Buquebus |
| Route | Buenos Aires—Montevideo |
| Builder | Incat, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Yard number | 96 |
| Launched | 2 May 2025 |
| In service | 2025 (scheduled) |
| Homeport | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Status | Under construction |
HSC China Zorrilla is a electric roll-on/roll-off ferry, scheduled to commence operation by Buquebus on the River Plate between Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It was built in Hobart, Tasmania by Incat Tasmania and launched in May 2025. It is the largest fully electric ship, and largest fully electric vehicle of any kind, in the world.[1]
History
Incat's existing relationship with Buquebus has involved construction and delivery of the ship HSC Francisco to Buquebus in 2013.[2]
Buquebus originally commissioned Incat to deliver a new ship to use dual-fuel propulsion, capable of operating on LNG and diesel.[3] In 2023, Buquebus and Incat renegotiated their agreement, and revised the specification to make the ship fully battery-electric.[4]
It was launched at Incat's facility on the Derwent River on 2 May 2025.[1]
Design
The vessel measures 130 metres (430 ft) in length and is designed to carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Its propulsion system comprises eight electric waterjets powered by a 40 MWh battery system, weighing over 250 tonnes. This system, supplied by Finnish company Wärtsilä,[5] features the largest battery ever installed on a ship, enabling the ferry to operate entirely on electric power.[6] Incat states that the weight of the batteries is lighter than the equivalent diesel engine and associated components.[7]
The ferry is equipped with a 2,300 square meter duty-free shopping area, the largest retail space on any ferry globally.[8]
References
- ^ a b "World's largest '100 per cent electric' ship launched by Tasmanian builder Incat". ABC News. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Incat's Dual-Fuel Ferry 'Francisco' the Fastest in the World". offshore.energy.biz. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Incat reveals design and technology behind Buquebus' second LNG ferry". Riviera Maritime. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "World's largest battery electric vessel is set for 2025 delivery". MarineLog.com. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "What will power the world's largest zero-emissions, lightweight catamaran ferry?". Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "'World's largest' electric ship measuring 130 metres launched by Tasmanian boatbuilder". The Guardian. 2 May 2025.
- ^ "Building the world's largest electric ferry". ABC News. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Incat completes hull of huge electric vessel". Australian Manufacturing Forum. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2025.