Incat eyes delivery of first large lightweight battery-electric ferry

The order would allow Incat Tasmania to deliver the world’s first large, lightweight, zero emissions ferry.

The order in question is for a 130 metre lightweight ferry, originally intended to be powered by LNG, that will carry 2100 passengers and 226 vehicles for Buquebús. The ferry, which is to be delivered in 2025, is intended to serve the River Plate crossing route. Following close consultation with the customer, Incat was recently asked to investigate the possibility of replacing the LNG powerplant with a battery-electric solution.

The Motorship reported on Incat Tasmania’s development of a hybrid concept of large wave-piercing catamaran ferry for short-sea operations in December 2022. The solution seeks to maximise operation on battery-electric power, augmented by diesel gensets, and is proposed as a contender to conventional, mid-sized ro-pax vessels.

Incat Group Chairman and Founder Robert Clifford commented “the customer wants this to happen, Incat wants this to happen, and whilst there are matters to be finalised, I am extremely confident that Incat can deliver this ground-breaking ship. In my experience unless we see something come in from left field, this is a ‘done deal’.

“Obviously, there needs to be sufficient energy supply in the ports that the ship would visit but we understand that this is progressing positively. The batteries and electric motors are being worked through with our suppliers, to ensure they can deliver the technology required in the timeframe we need them.”