Incat to launch largest ever electric vessel

The vessel, destined for South America, represents one of Australia’s most significant maritime export achievements. Incat chairman Robert Clifford described the launch as the most important in the company’s four-decade history, highlighting its impact on the maritime industry and sustainable transport.

Commissioned by South American ferry operator Buquebus, the vessel will operate between Argentina and Uruguay, accommodating over 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Hull 096 is powered entirely by battery-electric energy, featuring an unprecedented 40-megawatt energy storage system—quadrupling the capacity of any existing ship. The ferry will carry over 250 tonnes of batteries, setting a new benchmark for large-scale, low-emission transport.

Construction at Incat’s Hobart shipyard is progressing at pace, with the recent propulsion and energy storage systems is further accelerating the project’s completion.

The vessel’s interior fit-out is also advancing on schedule, featuring a retail space of 2,300 square metres—the largest of any ferry worldwide. Hull 096 stands as a testament to technological innovation, redefining the capabilities of battery-electric vessels on a global scale.