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Perth Now
02-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
'Big moment': world's largest electric ship launched
Powered by more than 250 tonnes of batteries and with the ability to carry 2100 passengers, Hull 096 has been hailed as one of Australia's greatest exports. The 130m-long vessel, officially launched in Hobart by shipbuilder Incat on Friday, is the world's largest battery-electric ship. It was commissioned by South American ferry operator Buquebus and will take people, as well as 225 vehicles, between Argentina and Uruguay. "I've been in the marine business for nearly 70 years. This is the biggest moment in that 70-year history," Incat chairman and founder Bob Clifford said. Incat said the vessel, which will sail under the name China Zorrilla - a Uruguayan actress - was "one of the most significant export achievements in Australian history". Once fully fitted, it will feature the largest retail shopping space on any ferry, spanning 2300sq m. It carries a 40-megawatt energy storage system and will charge via ports on each side of the River Pate. Mr Clifford said it could charge as quickly as 40 minutes, depending on the availability of electricity. "It is the future of short-sea shipping. This technology is good for 50-100 miles," he said. "It won't be long before it is 200 miles. The advancement is going to continue." Construction of Hull 096 was made possible by a $60 million low-interest commercial loan provided through the Tasmanian Development Board. It will undergo further fit outs and is expected to be put through sea trials in Hobart's River Derwent by the end of 2025. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania had long been a leader in maritime innovation. "Incat's latest achievement is a testament to our state's world-class shipbuilding capabilities and proud seafaring heritage," he said. Mr Clifton said Incat had expansion plans and companies, particularly in Europe, were crying out for electric ships. There were 10 larger ships "in the works", he said. "Within five years I would seriously hope to be building four ships a year. I think that's only the beginning," he said. "We have a head start, we are leading the world with this type of lightweight ship."
ABC News
02-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
World's largest '100 per cent electric' ship launched by Tasmanian builder Incat
At 130 metres long, Hull 096 is the largest electric vehicle of its kind ever built, with the maker saying it represents a "giant leap forward in sustainable shipping". The vessel, which was launched today in Tasmania by shipbuilder Incat, has been constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus and will carry passengers across the Río de la Plata, between Argentina's capital Buenos Aires and Uruguay. The electrical power system is said to be four times larger than any previous maritime installation in the world. ( ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke ) Buquebus' president says the ship originally started out as a vessel which would run on liquefied natural gas, but the plan was changed to be fully electric. . ( ABC News: Jess Davis ) Photo shows The world's largest electric ferry is being built in Tasmania. Over the centuries ferries have evolved from using paddles to steam engines, to burning diesel and gas. Can the humble ferry go all electric? It is equipped with over 250 tonnes of batteries and an energy storage system (ESS) with more than 40 megawatt-hours of installed capacity. The ESS is four times larger than any previous maritime installation in the world and is connected to eight electric-powered water jets. The vessel's interior, including a 2,300-square-metre duty-free retail shopping deck, is yet to be completed. It will make for the largest shopping space on any ferry in the world, Incat said. Hull 096, Incat's electric ferry, pictured during construction in Hobart. ( Supplied: Incat ) A visualisation of what the charging stations will look like. ( Supplied: InCat ) The batteries on Hull 096 will keep the vessel running for 90 minutes and chargers will be installed on both sides of the Río de la Plata. "Hull 096 will set a new global benchmark for clean, sustainable maritime transport and positions Tasmania as a global leader in the push toward zero-emissions technology," Premier Jeremy Rockliff said at the launch. "Through hard work, determination and ingenuity, Incat has built a globally significant battery-electric ship from their yard in Tasmania. "Incat epitomises what it means to be Tasmanian as they quietly pursue the extraordinary, strengthen Tasmania's brand on the global stage, and continue to support Tasmanian jobs and our economy. " Tasmania has long been a leader in maritime innovation, and Incat's latest achievement is a testament to our state's world-class shipbuilding capabilities and proud seafaring heritage. " Incat founder and chairman Robert Clifford at the launch. ( ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke ) Incat chairman and founder Bob Clifford said he had "been in the marine business for nearly 70 years and there is not the slightest doubt this is the biggest moment in that history". " The electric ship industry is going to be huge. " Bob Clifford says Hull 096 is the "most ambitious, most complex, and most important project we've ever delivered". ( ABC News: Owain Stia-James )
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DC plane crash victim's family files claims against FAA, Army
The family of a passenger on board the airliner in the deadly midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 29 took steps Tuesday to initiate a $250 million negligence lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Army. Last month, American Airlines flight 532 en route to Washington, D.C., from Wichita, Kan., crashed into an Army Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight, causing the two aircraft to plunge into the frigid Potomac River. The accident killed 67 people, including all passengers and crew on the commercial airplane and three service members on the military helicopter. Among those on the airplane was Casey Crafton, an aviation specialist whose family took preliminary legal action Tuesday. His relatives hired Clifford Law Offices, a Chicago-based law firm, to file a Form 95, which is used to initiate a lawsuit against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The government now has six months to respond to the claims before the family can file a lawsuit. In recorded remarks posted Tuesday, attorney Bob Clifford alleged potential 'willful neglect' by the agencies overseeing the environment around National Airport along with the U.S. military. 'Given the nature of what we know about this crash, there is absolutely no reason to not get that clock running, because, as a matter of fact, it's a very useful thing to get running, given the timeline that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has promised the families regarding the issuance of a preliminary report of their investigation,' Clifford said. He said the law firm also sent evidence preservation letters to the airlines involved — American Airlines and American Eagle, PSA and 'possibly' Sikorsky Aircraft. The FAA has declined to comment on 'potential litigating matters.' The Army did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. Crafton studied aviation management in college at Bob Jones University and was returning from Wichita on a business trip working as a technical support manager at Guardian Jet, an aviation consulting firm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-02-2025
- General
- The Hill
DC plane crash victim's family files claims against FAA, Army
The family of a passenger on board the airliner in a deadly mid-air collision near the Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29 took steps on Tuesday to initiate a $250 million negligence lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Army. Last month, American Airlines flight 532 en route to Washington, D.C., from Wichita, Kan. crashed into an Army Blackhawk training flight, causing the two aircraft to plunge into the frigid Potomac. The accident killed 67 people, including all passengers and crew on the commercial airplane and three service members on the military helicopter. Among those on the airplane was Casey Crafton, an aviation specialist whose family took preliminary legal action Tuesday. His relatives have hired Clifford Law Offices, a Chicago-based law firm, to file a Form 95, which is used to initiate a lawsuit against the federal government under the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The government now has six months to respond to the claims before the family can file a lawsuit. In recorded remarks posted Tuesday, attorney Bob Clifford alleged potential 'willful neglect' by the agencies overseeing the environment around Reagan National, along with the U.S. military. 'Given the nature of what we know about this crash, there is absolutely no reason to not get that clock running, because, as a matter of fact, it's a very useful thing to get running, given the timeline that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has promised the families regarding the issuance of a preliminary report of their investigation,' Clifford said. He said the law firm also sent evidence preservation letters to the airlines involved — American Airlines and American Eagle, PSA and 'possibly' Sikorsky Aircraft. The FAA has declined to comment on 'potential litigating matters.' The Army did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. Crafton studied aviation management in college at Bob Jones University and was returning from Wichita, Kansas, on a business trip working as a technical support manager at Guardian Jet, an aviation consulting firm.
