Buquebus ferry, 'world’s largest battery-electric ship', set for trans-oceanic transfer

Incat Tasmania, the shipyard building battery-electric ferry Hull 096 for operator Buquebus, reports that heavy lift vessel Black Marlin is now bound for Hobart, Tasmania, to collect the vessel ahead of its delivery voyage to South America

The heavy lift vessel is en route to Tasmania from South Africa via Melbourne.

At 217-m long and 42-m wide, Black Marlin is capable of carrying some of the world’s largest marine structures, according to Incat.

Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said the arrival of the heavy lift vessel would mark another major step in what he called "one of the most groundbreaking shipbuilding projects in the world".

“The arrival of Black Marlin will be an exciting moment. It signals that we are entering the final stage before the vessel departs Tasmania and begins its journey to its new home across the world,” Mr Clifford said.

“Watching it load Hull 096 will be a spectacular sight and a proud moment for Tasmania. We’ve had people from all over the world following the construction of this vessel, and I think there will be a lot of interest in seeing the next stage of the journey as the vessel prepares to leave for South America.”

Mr Clifford said Incat would provide updates as the Black Marlin makes its way towards Hobart.

Once in Hobart, the vessel will undertake a carefully planned loading operation. As a semi-submersible heavy lift ship, Black Marlin can submerge its cargo deck beneath the waterline by taking on ballast. Hull 096 will then be manoeuvred into position above the submerged deck before the ballast water is pumped out, lifting the cargo deck clear of the water. 

In January 2026, Hull 096 reached another milestone, undertaking harbour trials in the River Derwent.

Incat said it marked the first occasion that the largest battery-electric vessel ever constructed had moved under its battery-electric propulsion, signalling the transition from construction to operational testing for the 130-m ship.

Incat noted the trials represented the first time a ship of this size and passenger-vehicle capacity had operated solely on battery power anywhere in the world, “marking a major step forward for large-scale electric shipping”.

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