The key facts

  • China Zorrilla is the world's largest vessel running entirely on battery power (according to Incat)
  • More than 250 tons of batteries, over 40 MWh, eight electric waterjets
  • Capacity: 2,100 passengers and 225 cars; the route across the Río de la Plata is about 55 km

Start of service across the Río de la Plata

The world's largest fully electric ferry, China Zorrilla, has begun commercial service. The vessel was built by the Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania for the operator Buquebus, Kun.uz reports. Its first commercial voyage ran between Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, and the Uruguayan city of Colonia del Sacramento; the route across the Río de la Plata estuary is about 55 kilometers long.

The ceremony and the vessel's specifications

The ceremony handing the ferry over for operation took place on October 21 in Buenos Aires, after which the vessel began carrying passengers. According to Incat, China Zorrilla is the world's largest vessel powered exclusively by batteries. On board are batteries with a total mass of more than 250 tons and a combined capacity of over 40 megawatt-hours; the stored energy powers eight electric waterjets, which generate thrust by redirecting the flow of water. The vessel completes the entire voyage on battery power.

What the ferry carries

In addition to passengers, the vessel takes cars: up to 2,100 people and 225 vehicles at a time. Passengers are provided with lounge areas, as well as a duty-free shopping zone of about 2,300 square meters. The start of commercial operation of Hull 096 (China Zorrilla) is also reported in a post by Incat itself on LinkedIn.