Big Electric Ferry Can't Get to New Home

936 ABC Hobart

Topic: Transport

The electric ferry was tested on the River Derwent in January.

In short:

The world's largest electric ferry is stuck in Tasmania because the ship that was supposed to take it to South America is stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ferry can travel for 90 minutes, but not long enough to get to its new home across the Pacific.

What's next?

The company is looking for other ways to get the ship to South America, like using diesel generators to power the electric motors.

The US-Iran war has affected shipping schedules worldwide.

It has also stopped plans for one electric ship.

The world's largest electric ship, the China Zorrilla, is waiting in Hobart's River Derwent to be picked up and start service in South America.

But it can't get there.

The heavy-lift ship that is supposed to carry the China Zorrilla to South America is stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ferry can run for 90 minutes, but not long enough to cross the Pacific Ocean to its new home.

Incat's managing director, Craig Clifford, said the ship's owner is checking the situation every day.

"They have business plans in place, but they're getting frustrated because they can't get through the strait."

The US-Iran war has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which many ships use.

The ship has around 500 batteries on board.

It's enough to run the ferry for 90 minutes, but not for the 28-day trip from Tasmania to South America.

"We usually just have a customer come when the ship is ready, put diesel in, and sail away, but that's not the case with this ship," Mr. Clifford said.

Heavy-lift ships carry other vessels.

The world's largest heavy-lift ships can carry 100,000 tonnes and are used to move oil rigs, cargo, or other ships.

"It's like a big truck, it comes into Hobart, sinks down, our vessel gets on, and then it lifts back up," Mr. Clifford said.

Ferry operators are excited about electric ships.

Mr. Clifford said one option is to use diesel generators to power the ship's electric motors.

The China Zorrilla will carry 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles between Uruguay and Argentina.

It can travel at 25 knots at top speed.

Denmark's king and queen visited Incat in March, and the country has ordered three electric ferries.

The China Zorrilla had sea trials earlier this year to test its performance and control systems.

"It's a world-leading product, and we're proud of it and want to get it into service," Mr. Clifford said.

Incat has received more orders for electric ships and is working on three for a Danish ferry operator.

The first of those ships will be delivered in late 2027.

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