Full Breakdown
MV Black Marlin to Transport World's Largest Battery-Electric Ferry from Hobart to South America
6/3/2026, 10:48:04 PM
Transport Operation
MV Black Marlin, a semi-submersible heavy-lift ship, will lift Incat’s 130-metre battery-electric catamaran Hull 096 (“China Zorrilla”) from Hobart’s River Derwent and carry it to Buquebus for service on the Rio de la Plata route. The vessel will submerge, position the ferry on a cradle, then raise the deck for a 30- to 40-day delivery.
Background & Context
Incat finished the 129.68-metre, 14,058-GT electric ferry in May 2025, calling it a sustainable-shipping milestone. Sea trials in January 2026 confirmed a 90-minute, 25-knot run powered by over 5,000 batteries. The original heavy-lift ship was stranded in the Persian Gulf amid the US-Iran conflict, leading to the Black Marlin replacement.
Key Figures & Groups
- Incat – builder of Hull 096.
- Robert Clifford – Incat chairman.
- David Riseley – Incat head of projects.
- Buquebus – ferry operator.
- Boskalis – owner of Black Marlin.
- TasPorts – Derwent loading authority.
Timeline
- May 2025: Hull 096 completed.
- Jan 2026: Sea trials.
- Apr 2026: Original lift cancelled.
- Jun 2026: Black Marlin departs South Africa, expected Hobart mid-July.
- Late July 2026: Loading in Derwent.
- Aug 2026: Departure for Buenos Aires (30-40 days).
Data & Specifications
- China Zorrilla: 129.68 m × 32.36 m, 2,100 passengers, 226 cars, eight Wärtsilä WXJ1100 waterjets, 43 MWh battery, 25 kn, 90-minute endurance.
- Black Marlin: 217.8 m × 42 m, draws ~23 m submerged, 14 000-tonne displacement, carries large marine structures.
Why It Matters
China Zorrilla is the world’s largest battery-electric passenger ferry, offering a low-emission option for high-traffic routes. Its transport serves as a test case that could spur global electric-ferry adoption, already attracting interest from operators such as Denmark’s Molslinjen.
Official Statements & Responses
Robert Clifford called the Black Marlin’s arrival a “major step” that has generated daily public enquiries. David Riseley said the ferry’s calm-river design and structural integrity required waiting for a suitable heavy-lift ship, and confirmed loading will occur off Taroona in the Derwent’s deepest part.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree Black Marlin should reach Hobart by mid-July 2026, but the exact date depends on refuelling and a Melbourne stopover; no alternative schedule is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Very few people ever get the chance to see an operation like this up close,” — Robert Clifford, Incat chairman
- “It's not just about battery capacity,” — David Riseley, Incat head of projects
- “The Black Marlin is an extraordinary vessel in its own right and will be one of the largest ships ever to enter the River Derwent.” — Robert Clifford, Incat chairman
- “The ship, when it's partly sunk, will actually be drawing about 23 metres,” — Robert Clifford, Incat chairman
- “All that is probably going to take one day of preparation and maybe half a day of loading, and another half a day of lashing the ship down,” — Robert Clifford, Incat chairman
What’s Next
Black Marlin will start loading in the Derwent in late July, after which Hull 096 will sail to Buenos Aires. Buquebus plans to launch the ferry on the Rio de la Plata service, and Incat expects further electric-ferry orders.
