Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has successfully tested the marine evacuation system (MES) on its new fully electric Ro-Pax ferry under construction for Buquebus.
During the trials, three 22-meter inflatable evacuation chutes were deployed, each connected to life rafts with a capacity of 128 persons. In its final configuration, the vessel will be equipped with six MES modules and 13 life rafts, providing total evacuation capacity for up to 2,432 passengers.
The 130-meter ferry has also completed sea trials operating exclusively on battery power — marking the first time a vessel of this size has undergone full sea trials powered entirely by an electric propulsion system.
Incat stated that the successful trials demonstrate that fully electric propulsion is viable not only for ferries, but also for larger commercial vessels.
