Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has under construction the largest lightweight battery electric ship (130 m in length) so far constructed in the world for delivery to its South American customer, Buquebus.
This ship, the world’s largest battery-electric Ro-Pax ferry, will be 100% battery electric. The energy storage system (ESS) battery storage at over 40MWh will be four times larger than any battery installation that has been constructed and installed anywhere in the world for the marine transport environment.
The batteries power a series of E-motors which drive the water jet propulsion system. The electrical system integration is by Wärtsilä and ESS by Corvus Energy.
The interest in these battery electric ships is very positive and Incat is now working toward the construction of its second but smaller battery-electric vehicle/passenger ferry.
Incat Founder Robert Clifford said:
“We are proud to be building in Tasmania this first in class ship for Buquebus who like us share a vision to be at the leading edge of low emission shipping in the world. Incat has always been an innovator and once again we are leading the world and the world is taking notice.
“This worldwide interest in Incat’s capabilities to deliver electric ships is a great opportunity for Tasmania and we expect this interest to increase.
“We are already increasing our workforce and have just finalized plans for the recruitment of at least another 200 employees over the next 12 months with the expectation that our workforce will more than double in coming years”.
The world first Incat Hull 096 will have a capacity for 2100 passengers and crew, 225 cars and will also include a Duty Free Shop of over 2000 square metres on the one level.
The Australian Federal Government has a plan for decarbonising the economy and with 100% renewable energy and already net zero emissions having been achieved in Tasmania.
