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Posted by Dale Crisp
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23 July, 2026
BLACK Marlin, the Boskalis-owned semi-submersible float on-float-off that’s moved some of the world’s largest loads by sea, has arrived in Melbourne enroute to Hobart to load the world’s largest battery-electric fast ferry.
Incat Tasmania’s Hull 096, still to be formally-named China Zorrilla, was completed at the company’s Prince of Wales Bay shipyard some months ago but has been ‘stranded’ because the vessel chartered to ship the 130-metre vessel to regular customer Buquebus in Argentina was trapped in the Middle East by hostilities.
The 57,021 DWT, 218-metre Black Marlin anchored in Port Phillip Bay at around 2000 hours last night [22 July] from Durban, having been delayed by heavy swells in the Great Australian Bight. It will take on bunkers and supplies before departing for Hobart, currently expected to be at 1800 on Sunday.
According to TasPorts’ schedule, the flo-flo is due to arrive at anchorage in the River Derwent at 1800 next Tuesday, where an on-deck cradle will be constructed to accommodate China Zorrilla.
The ferry will be moved to Black Marlin to await its submergence in the deepest part of the river, whereupon tugs will position the 2,100-pax on board. Black Marlin will then be de-ballasted to lift China Zorrilla clear of the water.
After sea fastenings are completed Black Marlin and cargo are currently listed to depart Hobart at 1145 on Saturday, 1 August.
The trip from Hobart to Buenos Aires to take between 30 and 40 days.
