The world's largest electric ship successfully completed its maiden voyage

On May 2, 2025, the world's largest electric ship "China Zorrilla" was successfully launched in Tasmania, Australia, and started its maiden voyage this week, marking a major breakthrough in the shipping industry's transition to clean energy and becoming a major milestone in maritime shipping's move towards a new era of zero emissions.

Construction Background and Process

Built by Australian shipbuilder InCat and operated by South American ferry operator Buquebus at a cost of $184 million, the vessel was initially planned to be fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), but after discussions between InCat chairman Robert Clifford and Buquebus president Juan Carlos López Mena, the two parties decided to switch to building the world's largest electric ship to achieve a higher level of sustainability.

InCat completed the construction of the ship's hull structure as early as September 2024. During the construction process, InCat faced many challenges, but with its rich experience and innovative capabilities in the field of shipbuilding, it successfully overcame various difficulties and ultimately ensured the smooth launch of this electric ship.

Technical Specifications and Performance

The "China Zorrilla" is 130 meters long and 32.36 meters wide. It can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 cars. It is currently the world's largest and most powerful pure electric ship, far exceeding the standard length of 60 meters of common "superyachts".

The power system consists of more than 250 tons of batteries with a total energy storage capacity of 40 MWh, which is four times the world's largest marine system of its kind. The system provides energy output for eight 2,200 kW electric water jets supplied by Wärtsilä, and is expected to achieve a service speed of 24 to 25 knots.

In addition, the ship is equipped with an advanced charging system that can efficiently charge the battery pack to ensure the ship's endurance during operation. Its hull design also fully considers the principles of aerodynamics and fluid mechanics to reduce resistance during navigation and improve energy efficiency.

Commercial and environmental value

The commercial facilities of the "China Zorrilla" are also exciting. A duty-free shopping area of ​​2,300 square meters is under construction inside the cabin. After completion, it will become the world's largest ferry shopping center, providing passengers with a wealth of shopping options and high-quality shopping experience, while also bringing more commercial value to route operations.

In terms of environmental protection, the advantages of this electric ship are particularly significant. Compared with traditional fuel-fired ships, it does not produce harmful gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc. during operation, truly achieving zero emissions. It is estimated that after it is put into operation, emissions will be reduced by 84%, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by up to 37,545 tons per year, which is of great significance to improving air quality and protecting the ecological environment.

Industry Significance and Outlook

The successful maiden voyage of the "China Zorrilla" not only demonstrates InCat's strong strength and innovation in the field of shipbuilding, but also provides a new idea and example for the sustainable development of the global shipping industry. It proves that large-scale, low-emission transportation solutions are not only feasible, but also mature, and will lead the shipping industry to a more environmentally friendly and energy-saving direction.

Stephen Casey, CEO of InCat, said: "We are not just building ships, we are shaping the green future of shipping. The completion of the 'Hull 096' ship is a perfect proof of this. This is a great day for Tasmania and Australia's manufacturing industry to be proud of!" Juan Carlos López Mena, President of Buquebus, also believes that the commissioning of this electric ship will bring new vitality and opportunities to the shipping market in South America, and will also enhance the company's competitiveness in the market.

As the world pays more and more attention to environmental protection and related technologies continue to advance, it is expected that more electric ships like the "China Zorrilla" will be launched in the future, making greater contributions to achieving the green development goals of the global shipping industry.