Worlds largest battery-powered ship launches from Australia

The world’s largest battery-powered ship launched this week in Australia.Hundreds gathered Friday at the Incat Tasmania shipyard in Hobart to watch the launch of the Incat Hull 096, which officials boasted represents a “giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and is its “most important” project to date.“This is a historic day – not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat Tasmania chairman Robert Clifford.

“We’ve been building world-leading vessels here in Tasmania for more than four decades, and Hull 096 is the most ambitious, most complex, and most important project we’ve ever delivered.This ship changes the game,” he added.

The Tasmania-based company built the ship for South American ferry operator Buquebus, which will run the vessel between the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, and Uruguay.The cost of the vessel was not made public.

The Hull 096 can carry up to 2,100 passengers and hold 225 vehicles, and operates entirely on battery-electric power.Eight electric-driven water jets propel the 426-foot-long Hull 096, which is also the world’s largest electric vehicle.“Hull 096 proves that large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, they are ready now,” said Incat’s chief executive, Stephen Casey.The ship is equipped with more than 551,156 pounds of batteries and an energy storage system with more than 40 megawatt-hours.Work continues on the vessel’s interior, which includes a 7,546 square foot duty-free retail deck – the biggest shopping space on any ferry in the world.Clifford said Incat plans to build “as many sustainable ships as possible for the global market, both here in Australia and overseas.”...