Buquebus puts battery-electric China Zorrilla into service on the River Plate

Shippax reported on 23 October 2026 that Buquebus has put China Zorrilla into commercial service between Buenos Aires and Colonia. The 130-metre catamaran, built as Hull 096 by Incat Tasmania, is the largest battery-electric ship in operation in the world. She has completed her maiden commercial crossing of the River Plate between Argentina and Uruguay. Entry into service followed an official launch ceremony in Buenos Aires on 21 October, attended by Incat managing director Craig Clifford, Buquebus representatives and maritime authorities from both countries.

China Zorrilla can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. She runs entirely on batteries. More than 250 tonnes of batteries form an energy storage system of over 40 MWh, which powers eight electrically driven waterjets. The passenger accommodation includes a duty-free retail area of around 2,300 m².

Incat chairman Robert Clifford called the start of service one of the proudest moments in the shipbuilder's history. He said the ship shows "that large, high-capacity commercial vessels can operate on electric power" and offers passengers a crossing without the noise, vibration and exhaust emissions of diesel propulsion.

Craig Clifford travelled on the maiden commercial voyage. He said the absence of the engine noise and vibration passengers normally expect on a vessel of this size was what stood out most. "It's one thing to talk about what electric shipping can deliver, but it's another thing entirely to experience it firsthand," he said.