The challenge to reduce emissions in transportation encompasses all possible means. Although we mistakenly tend to associate the decarbonization process with road transport, there are more and more projects based on electric propulsion, also in airplanes or ships, as we have seen in previous information published in Moveo.
A prominent example of this trend in the decarbonisation of shipping is the growing adoption of emission-free ferries. These vessels, powered by electric energy, are marking a milestone in the preservation of our seas and oceans, while offering a sustainable alternative to traditional propulsion systems based on fossil fuels.
Although two large electric and autonomous ferries have been operating in the testing phase in Norway since 2022, now the Australian company Incat Tasmania is willing to far exceed the milestone established by the Scandinavians. The ocean firm announced a revolutionary project that promises to redefine maritime transportation.
In this context, Incat Tasmania has released details of Utility Ro-Pax, the company's new ferry, which has been commissioned by the Argentine maritime transport company Buquebus. Measuring 130 meters long and 32 meters wide, the ship has the capacity to transport more than 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles on board, which will make it the largest ship in the world when it begins operating in 2025.
The ship, which is scheduled to sail between Argentina and Uruguay, will be powered by a state-of-the-art 40 MWh battery system. This battery pack is called Dolphin NextGen and is the largest installed on a ship, four times the largest systems in the maritime transport sector today.
Initially, however, Incat Tasmania had planned for the Utility Ro-Pax to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). But finally, after analyzing Buquebus' options, company officials decided that the ferry would operate with two electric motors, with an estimated range of 100 kilometers with a full charge.
“The combination of cutting-edge technology, environmental awareness and innovative design redefines ferry operations around the world and paves the way for other large zero-emission vessels,” says Halvard Hauso, commercial director for Europe at Corvus Energy, the company that will supply to the Wartsila company the battery systems for the Utily Ro-Pax.
Regarding the material used for the construction of the ship, the Australian company has opted for aluminum in order to reduce the weight of the ferry by half compared to a boat with the same characteristics. This feature will allow the Utily Ro-Pax to navigate at a speed of 25 knots, the equivalent of 46 kilometers per hour, even with 100% of the cargo space occupied.
So far few details have emerged about the cost of this gigantic zero-emissions ferry being built in Australia. However, some media have published that the contract between Incat Tasmania and Buquebus is valued at 130 million dollars.
All the details about the Utility Ro-Pax align perfectly with the global objectives of reducing pollution and CO2 emissions, since the maritime sector contributes approximately 3% of global emissions. In line with these figures, the objective is a 30% reduction in emissions by 2025 and 40% by 2040.
