World’s largest battery-powered boat launches from Australia

The world’s largest battery-powered ship launched this week in Australia.

Hundreds gathered Friday at the Incat shipyard in Hobart to watch the official launch of the Incat Hull 096, which the boatbuilder boasted is the world’s largest battery-electric ship.

Incat said the Hull 096 represented a “giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and its “most important” project to date.

The Hull 096 can carry up to 2,100 passengers. Incat

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.

It is both the largest electric ship and largest electric vehicle in the world. Incat

Incat chairman Robert Clifford the company plans on building “as many sustainable ships as possible for the global market, both here in Australia and overseas.”

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.