Incat’s 130 m battery-electric ferry China Zorrilla is preparing to leave Hobart aboard the semi-submersible heavy lift vessel Black Marlin for transport to Uruguay.

The ferry, also known as Hull 096, was moved on Saturday from Incat’s shipyard at Prince of Wales Bay to Macquarie Wharf. It will remain at the temporary berth until the loading operation begins.

The Malta-flagged Black Marlin arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday after completing its voyage from South Africa. Following a brief stop, the vessel was expected to continue to Hobart and enter the River Derwent on Tuesday afternoon.

Loading was planned for Thursday, subject to weather and operational requirements.

The 217 m-long and 42 m-wide Black Marlin will take on ballast water to lower its cargo deck beneath the waterline. China Zorrilla will then be positioned above the submerged deck.

The ballast water will be discharged after the ferry is secured in place, raising the cargo deck and its load clear of the water.

Once loading is completed, Black Marlin is expected to sail to Nueva Palmira, Uruguay. Final tests for China Zorrilla are due to take place there before the ferry enters service.

Built by Incat for Buquebus, China Zorrilla will operate across the River Plate between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Colonia, Uruguay.

The ferry has capacity for up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Its propulsion system uses more than 250 tonnes of batteries and eight electric waterjets.

The vessel also includes a 2,300 m² duty-free retail deck. It was originally designed to use liquefied natural gas before the project was changed to a fully electric configuration.

Marine exclusion zones and drone restrictions will apply during the loading operation.