Corvus Energy’s 41 MWh Battery System Powers World’s Largest Electric Ferry Into Service in South America

The China Zorrilla, the largest battery electric ferry in the world, has entered commercial operation in South America, running entirely on battery power supplied by Norwegian energy storage specialist Corvus Energy.

Electric ferry begins zero-emission river crossings

Built by Incat Tasmania for operator Buquebus, the vessel arrived in Argentina, completed final testing, and is now carrying passengers and vehicles across the Río de la Plata on the route linking Argentina and Uruguay.

The ship accommodates more than 2,100 passengers and over 225 vehicles in commercial service, operating with no emissions during its crossings.

A record 41 MWh of energy storage at sea

At the heart of the vessel is more than 41 MWh of Corvus Energy battery capacity, described as the largest battery installation ever placed aboard a ship. The system is roughly four times the size of any previous battery system used in commercial maritime service.

The installation spans four battery rooms and comprises 5,016 Dolphin Energy NxtGen ESS modules. Running on battery power alone, China Zorrilla can sail for 1.5 hours, allowing fully emission-free operation.

According to Corvus Energy, the ESS combines advanced battery technology with large-scale storage capability to meet the demanding requirements of high-speed passenger transport.

Three years from concept to daily operation

The announcement of the vessel's entry into service comes three years after Corvus Energy was selected by Wärtsilä to supply the battery system for what was then envisioned as the world's largest fully electric high-speed Ro-Pax ferry.

The company points to the successful commissioning of the energy storage system as a sign of how quickly maritime electrification has progressed, transforming what was once seen as a groundbreaking concept into a ship now operating commercially every day.

Ole Jacob Irgens, EVP and Head of Sales at Corvus Energy, said the launch of commercial operations is a milestone not only for the company but for the entire maritime industry.

According to Irgens, the project demonstrates that battery-electric propulsion is no longer confined to smaller ferries or short routes and that large-scale, high-speed passenger vessels can now be powered entirely by batteries, showing the technology is ready and maritime decarbonization is accelerating globally.

Battery platform refined across more than a decade at sea

Corvus Energy says the project validates a battery technology platform developed specifically for the maritime sector and refined through more than ten years of operational experience across over a thousand vessel installations worldwide.

Irgens noted that every project teaches the company something, but that this vessel sets a new benchmark, with the successful commissioning of a system at this scale demonstrating the maturity, safety, and reliability of modern marine battery technology.

Regional decarbonization push in South America

As the first fully electric ship of its kind on the continent, China Zorrilla represents what Corvus Energy describes as a major step forward for South American maritime decarbonization.

Its arrival in service is cited by the company as evidence that battery-electric shipping is becoming a global trend, reaching well beyond the early adopter markets of Northern Europe.

Alongside the vessel's entry into operation, Corvus Energy has reinforced its support footprint in the region through local service partnerships, technical expertise, and lifecycle support capabilities intended to secure long-term operational success for regional customers.

A template for larger electric vessels

Beyond this single ship, Corvus Energy frames the project as a blueprint for future large-scale electric ferries, cruise vessels, offshore vessels, and other energy-intensive maritime applications.

The delivery, commissioning, and operation of the world's largest battery-electric ship, the company states, shows that electrification can now extend to vessel classes previously considered beyond the reach of battery technology.

About the supplier

Corvus Energy, headquartered in Norway, supplies zero-emission energy solutions for the maritime industry with a portfolio of energy storage systems suited to nearly every vessel type.

Its offering combines advanced battery technology with digital services, battery passport capabilities, cybersecurity, and global service support across the vessel lifecycle.

The company has delivered more than 1,400 projects worldwide and states that more than 50 percent of the world's vessels equipped with zero-emission technology are powered by its systems.