Incat Managing Director Craig Clifford, Buquebus representatives and maritime authorities from both countries attended the ceremony.

CHINA ZORRILLA can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. She runs entirely on batteries: more than 250 tonnes of them form an energy storage system of over 40 MWh, which powers eight electrically driven waterjets. The passenger accommodation includes a duty-free retail area of around 2,300 m².

Incat Chairman Robert Clifford called the start of service one of the proudest moments in the shipbuilder’s history. He said the ship shows “that large, high-capacity commercial vessels can operate on electric power” and offers passengers a crossing without the noise, vibration and exhaust emissions of diesel propulsion.

Craig Clifford travelled on the maiden commercial voyage. He said the absence of the engine noise and vibration passengers normally expect on a vessel of this size was what stood out most. “It’s one thing to talk about what electric shipping can deliver, but it’s another thing entirely to experience it firsthand,” he said.

The project has been one of the most technically demanding in the Tasmanian yard’s history, and Incat now has more electric tonnage in build. Construction is underway in Hobart on three 129-metre battery-electric ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen and two 78-metre hybrid-electric vessels.

© Shippax