Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania is building a gigantic new battery-electric ferry.

The lightweight catamaran has an overall length of 130 meters and a capacity of 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. It is being built for Uruguayan ferry operator Buquebús, which plans to operate the vessel between Argentina and Uruguay.

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä will supply the energy management, power conversion and DC shore charging systems, as well as the 40 MWh battery modules, the DC hub, the eight electric motors, eight Wärtsilä axial-flow WXJ1100 waterjets and the propulsion-control system. 

“The eight e-motor waterjet propulsion configuration is the most efficient available on today’s market for this speed range and type application,” said Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power business.

Norwegian maritime industry battery provider Corvus Energy will supply the battery systems to Wärtsilä.

The design of the vessel’s lightweight Dolphin NextGen battery is based on the architecture of the Corvus Blue Whale ESS. The four-year development program of the Blue Whale included improvements in battery chemistry, mechanical and electrical design, and software building blocks.

Delivery of the powertrain and battery systems is scheduled for the end of 2024, and delivery of the vessel is expected in 2025.

Source: Wärtsilä