By
Alex Smith |
Buquebus’s China Zorrilla is set to break new ground for the maritime industry when it begins sailing in late 2025, becoming the largest battery-electric vessel ever built. The ferry’s first journey between Argentina and Uruguay across the River Plate will mark a significant moment on the journey towards sustainable shipping, as it carries over 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles on a voyage powered entirely by the 250 tonnes of batteries onboard – quadruple the battery installation on any previous vessel.
Those first guests will be greeted by a similarly ground-breaking interior when they step onboard. Built by Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania, the ship features three main areas: a vehicle deck, a duty-free shop and a passenger deck. The duty-free shopping deck will be the largest retail space on any ferry currently in operation, spanning 2,300 square metres.
“This expansive retail area has been designed to create an immersive shopping experience, allowing guests to browse and purchase a wide array of products as they travel between Argentina and Uruguay,” says Tom Cooper, media and communications manager for Incat Tasmania.
Read more: Incat launches world’s largest battery-electric ship on River Derwent in Australia
The passenger area, meanwhile, has been designed to accommodate all 2,100 guests. The layout includes both economy and business-class seating, along with public amenities such as a restaurant, a cafe and a bar.
“The passenger deck is a showcase of Incat’s signature approach to comfort and innovation,” says Cooper. “The vessel offers a generous amount of space across its public decks, ensuring guests can travel in comfort regardless of class. Whether guests are looking to dine, unwind with a drink, or simply enjoy the views across the River Plate, the vessel’s carefully designed public areas will provide a memorable and enjoyable journey.”
China Zorrilla is under construction by Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania
Incat Tasmania and Buquebus have a long history of partnership, with China Zorrilla being the ninth vessel the Australian shipyard has built for the South American operator. They therefore took a collaborative approach to the design of the ferry, with Incat’s project team and Buquebus’ design team working together from the planning stages to ensure the vessel reflected Buquebus’s brand.
“To ensure that every detail aligns with Buquebus’s operational needs and brand expectations, the Buquebus team conducted several site visits to Incat’s Hobart shipyard, allowing it to inspect progress and refine elements of the design,” says Cooper. “This approach helped guarantee that the interior fit-out, material selections and functional layouts reflected Buquebus’s vision for a flagship vessel that blends performance, style and customer satisfaction.”
The comfort and enjoyment of guests has been a central consideration for both the design and outfitting teams during the construction of China Zorrilla, according to Cooper.
“Incat’s dedicated interior fit-out team has drawn upon decades of experience in ferry construction to deliver exceptional standards of workmanship,” he says. “Every aspect of the interior, from seating configurations and lighting to signage and flooring, has been considered with comfort, durability and aesthetics in mind.”
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