The world’s largest battery-powered ship launched this week in Australia.

On Friday, a crowd of hundreds assembled at the Incat Tasmania shipyard in Hobart to witness the launch of the Incat Hull 096. Officials highlighted that this vessel marks a “giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and stands as their “most important” project to date.

“This is a historic day – not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat Tasmania chairman Robert Clifford.

“We’ve been constructing world-class vessels here in Tasmania for over forty years, and Hull 096 is by far the most ambitious, most complex, and most significant project we’ve ever undertaken. This ship is a game changer,” he stated.

The Tasmania-based company constructed the vessel for South American ferry operator Buquebus, which will operate it along the route between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Uruguay. The vessel’s cost was not disclosed.

The Hull 096 can carry up to 2,100 passengers and hold 225 vehicles, and operates entirely on battery-electric power.

Eight electric-driven water jets propel the 426-foot-long Hull 096, which is also the world’s largest electric vehicle.

“Hull 096 proves that large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, they are ready now,” said Incat’s chief executive, Stephen Casey.

The ship is equipped with more than 551,156 pounds of batteries and an energy storage system with more than 40 megawatt-hours.

Work continues on the vessel’s interior, which includes a 7,546 square foot duty-free retail deck – the biggest shopping space on any ferry in the world.

Clifford said Incat plans to build “as many sustainable ships as possible for the global market, both here in Australia and overseas.”