La empresa Incat Tasmania anunció que comenzó la construcción del ferry eléctrico más grande del mundo. Tendrá 130 metros de eslora y capacidad para transportar 2.100 pasajeros y 226 vehículos. La noticia cobra relevancia en la Argentina porque la empresa que encargó este ferry es Buquebús, la compañía del empresario Juan Carlos López Mena, que domina el mercado del transporte fluvial en el Río de la Plata.
Además de ser fanático de los Mercedes-AMG (ver nota), López Mena es conocido también por querer ofrecer siempre la última tecnología en sus barcos privados y comerciales.
La noticia del nuevo ferry de Buquebús fue confirmada por el propio astillero Incat Tasmania, que ya comenzó en Oceanía con la construcción de la embarcación que espera entregar para el año 2025.
“Originalmente, este ferry de 130 metros iba a estar propulsado por Gas Natural Licuado, pero después de algunas conversaciones con el cliente, se nos pidió reemplazar la planta de LNG por una solución de cero emisiones y con baterías eléctricas”, explicó la empresa en un comunicado de prensa (ver completo abajo). Se espera que, al momento de la entrega, se convierta en el ferry eléctrico más grande del mundo.
Robert Cliffort, fundador de Incat Group, declaró: “El cliente quiere que esto suceda. Incat quiere que esto suceda. Y si bien hay asuntos por ser resueltos, tenemos la confianza de que Incat entregará este barco disruptivo. Obviamente, siempre estará la necesidad del suministro de energía en los puertos que el barco vaya a visitar, pero entendemos que esto está progresando de manera positiva. Las baterías y los motores eléctricos ya fueron confirmados por nuestros proveedores, para asegurar que podrán entregar la tecnología necesaria en el tiempo que la necesitamos”.
Incat Tasmania difundió los primeros renders oficiales del Buquebús eléctrico (ver galería de fotos, acá abajo).
Galería: Buquebús Eléctrico - Incat Tasmania
Comunicado de prensa de Incat Tasmania
Incat poised to deliver the world’s largest, zero emissions, lightweight ferry
JANUARY 16, 2023 - Incat Tasmania is currently in discussions to deliver the world’s first large, lightweight, zero emissions ferry. Amongst vessels under construction at the shipyard is a 130 metre lightweight ferry, originally intended to be powered by LNG, that will carry 2100 passengers and 226 vehicles for Incat’s long term South American customer, Buquebús. Following close consultation with the customer, Incat was recently asked to investigate the possibility of replacing the LNG powerplant with a battery-electric solution.
Whilst there are challenges to overcome, the ship which is to be delivered in 2025, when battery electric, would be the world’s largest, lightweight, zero emissions ferry operating on any route in the world.
Incat Tasmania has always been an innovator, ahead of the technology curve and the delivery of an electric zero emissions ferry will cement Incat as the world leader in zero emissions, lightweight shipping.
Incat Group Chairman and Founder Robert Clifford said “the customer wants this to happen, Incat wants this to happen, and whilst there are matters to be finalised, I am extremely confident that Incat can deliver this ground-breaking ship. In my experience unless we see something come in from left field, this is a ‘done deal’.
“Obviously, there needs to be sufficient energy supply in the ports that the ship would visit but we understand that this is progressing positively. The batteries and electric motors are being worked through with our suppliers, to ensure they can deliver the technology required in the timeframe we need them.
“Zero emissions shipping is the future and Incat based in Tasmania, one of the few places on the planet which has already delivered net zero, is now poised to revolutionise the world’s shipping fleet by delivering the world’s first zero emissions, lightweight ship,” he says.
Incat Managing Director Craig Clifford says this is a unique opportunity for Incat. Whilst there are always challenges if you change any aspect of the design of a ship part way through build, in simple terms, this is just swapping one method of propulsion for another: it will however have significant environmental benefits, and open up a whole new market for these types of vessels.
Former Tasmanian Premier and Incat’s Strategic Adviser Peter Gutwein said “delivering the world’s first large battery electric ferry for Buquebus would lead to exponential growth in the international market for large lightweight electric ships.
“The world wants large, lightweight zero emission ships and we are already scaling up our workforce and production facility in readiness for what will be a significant expansion. “It will be a win- win for both the environment and for investment in long-term skilled jobs in Tasmania,” he said.