World’s Largest Battery Electric Ferry Enters Commercial Service In South America

The 130-meter aluminum catamaran China Zorrilla has officially entered service, becoming the world’s largest 100% battery-electric vessel. Built by Australian shipyard Incat Tasmania for the operator Buquebus, the ship carries up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the 55-kilometer route on the River Plate between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

Originally designed as a dual-fuel vessel, the project was upgraded mid-construction to run entirely on electricity. The ferry is powered by a 43-megawatt-hour energy storage system featuring over 5,000 lithium-ion batteries weighing approximately 286 tons. This system supplies energy to eight electric motors connected to eight high-performance waterjets, allowing the vessel to complete the crossing in 75 minutes at a service speed of 25 knots.

The shift to electric propulsion offers significant environmental and economic benefits. By replacing a conventional diesel ferry, the China Zorrilla avoids the annual emission of 37,545 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and saves US$4.5 million in fuel costs. To support the vessel's high-frequency schedule of up to four daily trips, the operator has installed high-power DC fast-charging stations at port facilities, enabling the battery to charge from 20% to 80% capacity in 40 minutes.

The vessel also features a 2,250-square-meter duty-free retail space, which serves as a critical revenue source by allowing passengers to bypass domestic import tariffs and taxes. While the electric drivetrain results in a lower top speed compared to the original dual-fuel design, the operator expects a payback period of five to eight years. The success of this project has led Incat Tasmania to secure additional orders for similar large-scale electric ferries, including three vessels for the Danish operator Molslinjen.