World’s Largest Battery-Electric Ship Starts Trials

The world’s largest fully electric vessel has progressed from ambitious vision to reality. And it’s finally being tested where it matters: on the water.

Harbor testing has commenced | Incat

Developed and built by Incat Tasmania, the 130-meter (426-ft) ship has its power delivered to eight electric waterjets, driving a vessel designed to carry up to 2,100 passengers and more than 220 vehicles. Better yet, the vessel also features a huge duty-free shopping deck - the largest retail space on any ferry in the world. This places it firmly among the largest electric vehicles ever built. At its core lies an unprecedented energy storage system: more than 250 tonnes of batteries delivering over 40 MWh of capacity - around four times larger than any previous maritime installation.

In December 2025, the project moved from construction to testing, when Hull 096 was powered up for the first time. During a public demonstration in Hobart, the ship’s massive battery-electric propulsion system drove its waterjets through an initial e-motor trial. This marked the ship’s proof-of-concept, and a first glimpse into what it would later become.

World's largest fully electric vessel | Incat

Harbor testing is now underway and will be followed by sea trials, ahead of the ferry’s eventual delivery to South America, where is will go into service for operator Buquebus, between Buenos Aires and Uruguay - without using any fossil fuels. Passengers will hear no engine rumble, and not see or smell exhaust plumes. There will just be the quiet churn of waterjets.

"This ship changes the game," said Incat Chairman Robert Clifford. "We've been building world-leading vessels here in Tasmania for more than four decades, and Hull 096 is the most ambitious, most complex, and most important project we've ever delivered."

"Hull 096 proves that large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, they are ready now," said Incat CEO Stephen Casey.

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