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Posted by Dale Crisp
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14 Sep, 2026
INCAT Tasmania has been named the state’s Exporter of the Year, just as its award-winning ferry China Zorrilla arrived in South America on its delivery voyage aboard Black Marlin.
Incat won a second major award at the 2026 event, picking up the Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Award for its work on the construction of three 129-metre battery-electric ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen.
The three vessels, Incat Hulls 102, 103 and 104, are currently under construction at the company’s Hobart shipyard and, once completed, will be the largest electric ferries in Europe.
The vessels form part of what will be the world’s largest electrification project at sea and represent another major step in Incat’s growing electric shipbuilding program.
The major award of the evening, Tasmanian Exporter of the Year, recognised the completion and delivery of Incat Hull 096, the world’s largest battery-electric ship, to regular South American customer Buquebus.
China Zorilla has been floated off at Nueva Palmira in Uruguay after carefully navigating the Rio del Plata and Uruguay Rivers, according to Black Marlin owner Boskalis.
Incat says the 130-metre vessel is one of the most significant projects in modern maritime history and demonstrates the potential for battery-electric technology to transform large-scale commercial shipping.
Incat managing director Craig Clifford said being named Tasmanian Exporter of the Year was a significant honour for the company and its workforce.
“To be named Tasmanian Exporter of the Year is something our entire workforce can be incredibly proud of,” Mr Clifford said.
“We are building ships in Tasmania that are attracting attention around the world and helping to demonstrate what is now possible with large-scale electric vessels.
“The delivery of Hull 096 was an extraordinary achievement for our company, and at the same time we have three 129-metre battery-electric ferries taking shape in our shipyard for Molslinjen. These are projects of genuine global significance, being designed and built right here in Tasmania.”
Mr Clifford said the awards recognised not only Incat’s technology and innovation, but the hundreds of people behind the vessels.
“Innovation is a big part of what we do, but none of it happens without our people. These awards are a credit to the skill, dedication and hard work of our entire workforce, from our designers and engineers through to the hundreds of tradespeople bringing these ships to life.
“Tasmania has a proud history of shipbuilding, and we now have an opportunity to lead the world into the next generation of clean, electric shipping. That is an incredibly exciting position for Incat and for Tasmania.”
The latest recognition follows Incat winning the Sustainability and Green Economy Award at the 2025 Tasmanian Export Awards for its work helping to decarbonise the maritime industry.
