China Zorrilla, the 130 m battery-electric ferry built by Incat Tasmania for Buquebus, has reached the Río de la Plata aboard the semi-submersible heavy lift vessel Black Marlin and is heading to Nueva Palmira, Uruguay.
Buquebus confirmed on 11 September 2026 that the ferry had reached the Río de la Plata and was on the final stage of its transport to Nueva Palmira. The vessel was transported from Hobart, Tasmania, aboard Black Marlin.
The float-off from Black Marlin is scheduled for 12 September 2026 at Nueva Palmira. Uruguay’s National Ports Administration (ANP) said the schedule is subject to weather conditions and estimated that the unloading operation would take between 24 and 48 hours.
ANP said Nueva Palmira was selected for the operation because of its geographic location and the water depth available in the Uruguay River. Tugs operated by SAAM Towage are scheduled to be used during the unloading operation.
Once unloaded, China Zorrilla is due to be moved along the Uruguay River to Colonia, where it will be prepared to join the Buquebus fleet. The ferry is intended for the Buenos Aires-Colonia route.
ANP lists China Zorrilla as 130 m long with a beam of 32 m and a draught of 3.5 m. The vessel has capacity for 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles.
The ferry’s propulsion system includes a 40 MWh battery installation and eight electric motors connected to eight Wärtsilä WXJ1100 axial-flow waterjets. Wärtsilä’s supply also includes the energy management system, power conversion system, DC shore-charging system, DC hub and propulsion control system.
China Zorrilla was launched at the Incat Tasmania shipyard in Hobart on 2 May 2025. It left the River Derwent aboard Black Marlin on 5 August 2026 for transport to South America.
Colonia has also been prepared for electric vessel charging. According to ANP, work carried out under a 2024 agreement with Uruguay’s UTE increased the port’s electrical infrastructure to 15 MW. Terminal infrastructure works were also carried out to accommodate passengers and vehicles transported by large vessels.
According to Buquebus, a welcome event for China Zorrilla is scheduled to begin in Nueva Palmira at 12:00 on 12 September 2026. The company plans to provide a live stream of the event.
Following the float-off, China Zorrilla is scheduled to continue to Colonia for preparations ahead of its planned service between Colonia and Buenos Aires.
