World’s largest electric ship finishes first battery-powered sea trial

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has completed the first battery-powered sea trial of Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric vessel, on December 14, 2025, in Hobart. The 130-meter ferry, designed to carry 2,100 passengers and over 220 vehicles, operates using the largest battery-electric propulsion system ever installed in a maritime vessel. Its Energy Storage System (ESS) includes over 250 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity exceeding 40 megawatt-hours—four times greater than any previous maritime battery installation. The ship’s eight electric water jets are powered by this system, enabling a 90-minute river crossing during the trial. Cooling is managed by air-cooled fans assigned to each battery module, and a dedicated charging infrastructure will allow full battery recharge in about 40 minutes. This milestone positions Tasmania as a leader in sustainable shipbuilding, showcasing a shift toward clean-energy maritime technology. The vessel, built for South American ferry operator Buquebus