Big Ship Lift Operation in Hobart Thrills Spectators

By Monty Jacka

Topic: Marine Transport Industry

Friday, July 31, 2026, at 5:18 pm

Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:16 pm

The China Zorrilla was loaded onto the MV Black Marlin, ready to travel to South America.

In short:

A big ship lift operation happened in the River Derwent near Hobart on Friday.

The Hull 096, the world's largest electric ferry, will be taken to Argentina to start work.

What's next?

The ships will leave on Monday for a 40-day trip to South America.

People watched the operation from the River Derwent, using binoculars and sitting in camp chairs.

The Hull 096 was loaded onto the MV Black Marlin, finishing a multi-day operation.

Mick Boxall took a photo of the China Zorrilla being moved into place.

Glenorchy resident Mitchell Needham watched the event in the suburb of Tranmere.

Mitchell Needham said it was the highlight of his day to see the tugs move the ferry.

Mitchell Needham and Mike Kwon watched the event together.

Lindisfarne local Mike Kwon thought the process was interesting to watch.

The operation took several hours to complete.

David Long and Nolan Cardno watched the loading of the ferry.

David Bryan said it was the most impressive sight he had seen in the River Derwent.

David Bryan was amazed by the technology used to transport big items.

Robert Hardy and David Bryan enjoyed the spectacle.

What did it involve?

The Hull 096 was built by Incat for a South American ferry company.

The Hull 096 is the largest electric ferry in the world and will travel between Uruguay and Argentina.

The ferry was not designed for long trips and would run out of power after 90 minutes.

The MV Black Marlin was called to carry the ferry across the Pacific Ocean.

The loading process started on Friday morning when the MV Black Marlin filled its ballast systems with water.

Tugboats took the Hull 096 to meet the MV Black Marlin in the River Derwent.

The tugboats positioned the ferry above the submerged cargo deck of the MV Black Marlin.

The ferry was mounted onto a cradle attached to the MV Black Marlin.

The mounting was finished around midday, and the next step was to refloat the MV Black Marlin.

Isabel Gordon took a photo of the loading operation.

Incat's Tom Cooper said the operation was unlike anything that had happened in Tasmanian waters.

Tom Cooper said everything seemed to go smoothly during the operation.

More than 30 people were involved in the operation, including crews from Boskalis, Incat, and Tasports.

What happens now?

The MV Black Marlin will leave on Monday for a 40-day voyage to South America.

The MV Black Marlin will pass the northern tip of New Zealand and cross the Pacific Ocean.

The ferry will arrive in Buenos Aires, where it will be unloaded and start operations after a month.

Incat is building three other electric ferries that will operate in Denmark.

Tom Cooper said this might be the first and last time a heavy-lift ship is needed in the River Derwent.

Tracy Hobbs took a photo of the operation.

The superstructure of the Hull 096 was built in Hobart.

Turbines were waiting to be fitted to the Hull 096 during construction.

The wheelhouse of the Hull 096 was built before the ship was completed.

What does it mean for Tasmania?

Incat project manager Sean Lowrie worked on the Hull 096 for over two years.

Sean Lowrie said it was a proud but bittersweet moment for the staff.

The loading was a proud moment for Tasmania, putting the state on the world stage.

Mike Kwon said the loading was a wonderful thing for Tasmania.

David Long said it would help put Tasmania on the map.

David Bryan said it was great to see one of the best ferries in the world come from Tasmania.

More Tasmania news

Topic: Political Candidates

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety

Topic: Fires

Topic: Utilities

See more ABC coverage in your search results

Promotion

Practice Listening

Practice Listening