The 130-meter-long electric ferry China Zorrilla has officially entered commercial service in South America. Built by the Australian shipyard Incat Tasmania for the operator Buquebus, the vessel completed its maiden voyage between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Colonia, Uruguay. The catamaran is designed to carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles.
The vessel features an energy storage system with a capacity exceeding 40 MWh, with batteries weighing over 250 tonnes. Propulsion is provided by eight electric waterjet units. The ship was originally planned to run on LNG, but the design was modified to a fully battery-electric configuration following the order placed in the summer of 2023.
Incat Tasmania is currently expanding its electric vessel portfolio. The company is building three 129-meter electric ferries for the Danish operator Molslinjen. These vessels are intended for service on the Kattegat route, marking a continued focus on large-scale maritime electrification projects following the successful launch of the China Zorrilla.
