The world's largest fully electric ferry, China Zorrilla, has completed one of the most remarkable stages of its journey. The 130-metre vessel has been successfully loaded onto the semi-submersible heavy-lift ship Black Marlin, which will transport it from Tasmania, Australia, to South America.
The loading operation took place near Hobart and required exceptional precision. To receive the ferry, Black Marlin submerged its cargo deck by taking on ballast water. Once the deck was below the waterline, the ferry was carefully manoeuvred into position before the heavy-lift vessel pumped out the ballast water and slowly lifted both itself and the ferry above the surface. This type of operation is considered one of the most complex procedures in the heavy-lift shipping industry.
Built by Australian shipbuilder Incat, China Zorrilla is designed to carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Powered entirely by batteries, it is set to become the world's largest fully electric passenger ferry in commercial service and a major milestone in the development of sustainable maritime transport.
Following final securing procedures aboard Black Marlin, the vessel will begin its approximately 40-day voyage across the Pacific Ocean to South America. After arrival, the ferry will undergo final commissioning before entering service with Buquebus on the route between Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay).
The project highlights the rapid progress of battery-powered commercial vessels and demonstrates how electric propulsion is becoming an increasingly important part of the future of the global maritime industry.
