World’s Largest Fully Battery-Electric Ship Starts Scheduled Service Between Argentina and Uruguay
Hobart/Buenos Aires – The world’s largest battery-electric ship to date has entered regular commercial service. The 130-metre electric ferry “China Zorrilla” carries passengers and vehicles between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia in Uruguay. The vessel is equipped with a battery storage system with a storage capacity of 41.2 MWh.
China Zorrilla: 41.2 MWh Battery Storage and 16 MW Connection Capacity
According to Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania, the “China Zorrilla,” built for the shipping company Buquebus, has successfully completed its first commercial passenger voyage between Buenos Aires and Colonia. The official inauguration took place in Buenos Aires on October 21, 2026. On October 26, Incat confirmed the start of commercial operations.
The aluminium catamaran can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. According to the shipyard, the battery system weighs more than 250 tonnes. Eight electric motors, each rated at 2.4 MW, drive the waterjets. According to Incat’s technical specifications, two connections of 8 MW each are provided for charging the batteries.
The ship can cover the roughly 60-kilometre route between Buenos Aires and Colonia entirely on electric power. No direct exhaust emissions are produced during the voyage. According to Incat, noise and vibration on board are also significantly lower than on ships with conventional combustion engines.
The vessel was originally planned with an LNG propulsion system. Following the change of propulsion concept, the “China Zorrilla” was launched in Hobart in May 2025. First electric propulsion tests followed at the end of 2025, and harbour trials in early 2026.
Europe Turns to Large Electric Ferries: Three Battery-Electric Catamarans for Denmark
Large battery-electric high-speed ferries are also being prepared for commercial use in Europe. Australian shipbuilder Incat is currently building three electric ferries, each 129 metres long, for Danish shipping company Molslinjen. The vessels are intended for the Kattegat routes between Jutland and Zealand.
The first ferry, Hull 102, is to be equipped with a 44.75 MWh battery system. According to Molslinjen, a charging power of 55 MW is planned. The planned operating speed is 40 knots. The high charging power illustrates the demands that large battery-electric high-speed ferries place on port infrastructure.
Molslinjen initially ordered two electric ferries in July 2025. A third vessel was ordered in December 2025. According to Incat, all three ferries are now under construction.
Electrification of European Ferry Transport: Battery Propulsion and Hybrid Concepts
Alongside large high-speed ferries, battery systems are also being used in other segments of European ferry transport. Shipping company Scandlines put the cargo ferry “The Baltic Whale” into operation on the Puttgarden–Rødby route in March 2026. Equipped with a 10 MWh battery storage system and an additional diesel drive, the vessel can cover the 18.5-kilometre route entirely on electric power. Hybrid operation is also possible.
Other shipping companies are taking a step-by-step approach. In September 2026, Stena Line ordered two new RoPax ferries for the Gothenburg–Frederikshavn route. The vessels planned from 2030 onwards are initially to be operated with hybrid propulsion systems. Spaces that could house battery systems with a capacity of up to 85 MWh are being reserved for later full electrification.
The projects illustrate the differing stages of development in ferry electrification. While the “China Zorrilla” is now also a large high-speed ferry in fully battery-electric commercial service, and further large-scale projects are under way, other shipping companies are relying on hybrid drives or preparing their vessels for later electrification. Which propulsion concepts are used depends not only on available battery technology, but also on the respective operating profiles and the charging infrastructure in ports.
Source: IWR Online, 28 Oct 2026
