China Zorrilla”, the world’s largest electric ferry, arrives in Uruguay and begins service in October

Uruguay has welcomed the “China Zorrilla”, which is considered the world’s largest fully electric passenger vessel. Arriving from Australia, the vessel marks a significant development for lower-emission maritime transport in Latin America.

The ferry will be operated by Buquebus and will connect Colonia, the historic colonial city on the shores of the Río de la Plata, with Buenos Aires, Argentina.

With a capacity of 2,500 passengers and 225 vehicles, the vessel represents an investment of around $200 million, financed in part by the World Bank.

Service on the approximately 60-kilometre maritime route between the two shores is expected to begin in mid-October.

Dedicated charging facilities have been built at the ports of Buenos Aires and Colonia for its operation. The ferry’s energy system relies on four giant high-capacity batteries, which power eight electric motors.

According to Buquebus, the idea of creating Latin America’s first route to operate with a fully electric vessel took shape immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“China Zorrilla” was built at the Incat Tasmania shipyard in Hobart, Australia, using high-strength marine-grade aluminium.

After construction was completed, the ferry was transported aboard a specialised heavy-lift vessel and travelled more than 15,000 kilometres to reach the port of Colonia in Uruguay.

Its entry into service is intended to significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption along one of the main passenger transport corridors connecting Uruguay and Argentina.