According to Corvus Energy, with more than 40 MWh of energy storage, this will be the largest battery system installed onboard a ship – four times as big as the current largest installation.

Incat shipyard in Tasmania will build the aluminum-constructed vessel on behalf of customer, Buquebus. The 130m long ferry, which will operate on the Plate between Argentina and Uruguay, will have the capacity for 2,100 passengers and crew and 225 cars, and will house a 2,000 m2 duty-free shop, all housed on one level.

This groundbreaking project marks a turning point in the maritime industry’s effort to transition towards greener means of transportation. Combining cutting-edge technology, environmental consciousness, and innovative design, it redefines the future of ferry operations worldwide and paves the way for other large, zero-emission vessels,” says Halvard Hauso Commercial Director Europe, Corvus Energy. “We are very grateful that Wärtsilä once again chose Corvus Energy as their partner for such an important and advanced project.”

This vessel will be the largest of its type with the highest ESS (energy storage systems) capacity and it will also have the longest zero-emission journey, at the highest speed, and it will be charged with the world’s highest capacity chargers.

“The ferry will also be the first fully electric vessel in South America and demonstrates that maritime decarbonization is now happening worldwide, not only in Europe,” said Halvard Hauso, Commercial Director, Europe, Corvus Energy.

This project is made possible by Corvus` latest lightweight battery, Dolphin NextGen. The design is based on the architecture of the 4-year development programme for the Corvus Blue Whale ESS. The Blue Whale development included a ground-up redesign that “reevaluated and improved every aspect of battery design, including battery chemistry, mechanical and electrical design, and software building blocks,” says the company. “The Dolphin NextGen ESS is a game changer for marine battery projects due to its low weight and volumetric density, robustness, and unsurpassed flexibility.” 

The battery systems are scheduled for delivery end of 2024 and the vessel will enter operation in 2025.