INCAT Tasmania has hosted Their Majesties The King and Queen of Denmark at the company’s Hobart shipyard, where they viewed construction of Denmark-destined battery-electric ferries.
Their Majesties were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the official visit, which showcased Incat’s leadership in sustainable shipbuilding and highlighted the construction of three large battery-electric ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen.
During the visit, Their Majesties unveiled a commemorative plaque on the vehicle deck of Hull 102, the first of three 129-metre vessels currently under construction for the busy Kattegat route between Jutland and Zealand, carrying thousands of passengers each day.
The project forms part of the largest electrification initiative ever undertaken in the ferry sector and represents a major step forward in the transition to cleaner maritime transport, Incat says.
Queen Mary meeting Incat workers. Image: Incat Tasmania
Incat MS Craig Clifford said it was a great honour to welcome the Danish Royal Family to the shipyard.
“It is a privilege for everyone at Incat to host King Frederik and [Hobart-born] Queen Mary and to showcase the work our team is doing here in Tasmania,” Mr Clifford said.
“Denmark is one of the world’s great maritime nations and we are proud to be partnering with Molslinjen on this remarkable project.
“These vessels demonstrate what can be achieved when world-leading operators and shipbuilders work together to deliver innovative and more sustainable transport solutions.
“Today’s visit is a proud moment for the hundreds of skilled workers helping build these vessels here in Tasmania.”
Molslinjen CEO Carsten Jensen said the company was honoured that Their Majesties had visited Incat to inspect the first of the company’s new vessels.
“Unfortunately, we have had to watch from a distance, but it is of course an honour and a great pleasure to see our upcoming vessels in the company of the royal couple — and it will be an even greater pleasure in a few years when the world’s largest maritime electrification project culminates with the first ferry sailing silently into Aarhus Bay, marking a major green breakthrough for high-speed ferry travel,” Mr Jensen said.
Following the plaque unveiling on Hull 102, Their Majesties and Prime Minister Albanese toured Incat’s recently completed Hull 096, [China Zorrilla] a 130-metre fully electric vessel for long-term South American customer Buquebus, including a visit to the ship’s battery rooms.