An Australian boats manufacturer brought to the water on Friday what it describes as the largest electric ship in the world, a 130 -meter jug -in capable of transporting more than 2,000 passengers.
This aluminum catamaran called Hull 096 is powered by more than 250 tonnes of batteries, according to its manufacturer, the company Incat. The batteries and the energy storage system will provide more than 40 megawatt hours of installed capacity.
Intended for South America
Built for the South American Ferry operator Buquebus, it will transport up to 2100 passengers and up to 225 vehicles on the Plata estuary between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.
This boat “proves that large -scale and low -emission transport solutions are not only possible, but that they are ready now,” said Stephen Casey, CEO of Incat, after launching the Derwent river, in Hobart, in the island state of Tasmania.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), maritime transport represents almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions responsible for the global warming.
Last month, OMI member states voted for a global pricing system to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector. All ships will have to use a mixture of lower carbonic fuel by 2028, under penalty of financial sanctions.
Environmental pressure groups fear, however, that the transition to biofuels poses other problems, such as deforestation, and does not go far enough in the fight against maritime emissions.
