Incat Tasmania is currently is getting ready to deliver the world’s largest and longest, lightweight, zero emissions ferry.
The 130 metre ferry, destined for South American customer Buquebús, is currently under construction at the company’s Hobart shipyard. While the original design was for the ship to be powered by LNG, Buquebús now wants the ferry to be 100% battery-electric.
The ship will ferry cars, buses and delivery vans roughly 240km from Argentina to Uruguay.
Incat 130m electric ferry. Source: Incat
One of the logistical details still being considered is how Incat will deliver the ship to the Argentinian customer. One solution being looked at is to install temporary diesel powered generators to charge the batteries along the way.
The generators would then be removed once the ship reaches the customer in Buenos Aires. A second method is to use a giant “lift ship” to essentially carry the ferry across the Pacific Ocean.
Incat Group chairman and founder Robert Clifford says “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.”
The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2025. With the new all electric specification, the ship is set to be the world’s largest, lightweight, zero emissions ferry operating anywhere in the world.
“Zero emissions shipping is the future and Incat based in Tasmania, one of the few places on the planet which has already delivered net zero, is now poised to revolutionise the world’s shipping fleet by delivering the world’s first zero emissions, lightweight ship,” says Clifford.
Incat managing director Craig Clifford says this is a unique opportunity for Incat.
“Whilst there are always challenges if you change any aspect of the design of a ship part way through build, in simple terms, this is just swapping one method of propulsion for another: it will however have significant environmental benefits, and open up a whole new market for these types of vessels.”
Last year the NSW government laid out a broad-ranging strategy which included the possibility of new and retrofitted electric ferries operating on Sydney Harbour.
In April last year, The Driven reported that the New Zealand government had provided $NZ27 million to help fund 75% of the construction of two 200 passenger electric ferries to operate in Auckland.
Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, who is now Incat’s Strategic Advisor, says delivering the world’s first large battery electric ferry for Buquebus would lead to exponential growth in the international market for large lightweight electric ships.
“The world wants large, lightweight zero emission ships and we are already scaling up our workforce and production facility in readiness for what will be a significant expansion,” he said.
“It will be a win- win for both the environment and for investment in long-term skilled jobs in Tasmania.”
Keyword: Tasmania’s Incat to build world’s largest all electric ship after customer dumps LNG