Australia has become the largest builder of battery-powered vessels globally, according to an analysis by Danish Shipping, driven largely by a major ferry order placed by Danish operator Molslinjen.

The company has commissioned three battery-powered catamaran ferries from Incat Tasmania in Hobart. The vessels are intended for service between Zealand and Jutland across the Kattegat. Once fully electrified, the ferries are expected to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 132,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

“When we are building ferries that together constitute the world’s largest electrification project at sea, we need a supplier with a high degree of innovation that can also deliver top quality on time. We have that in Incat Tasmania. Together with them, we are proud to push the boundaries of modern high-speed ferry operations,” said Carsten Jensen, CEO of Molslinjen.

Danish Shipping said Australia now ranks ahead of traditional shipbuilding nations such as China and Turkey in terms of battery vessel production, with Molslinjen’s order playing a key role in that position.

Jacob K. Clasen, Deputy CEO of Danish Shipping, said: “It really says something about Molslinjen’s level of ambition that the company’s order is having such a significant impact on the global market. Naturally, it also reflects that this is not yet a very large market. But it can and should become one.”

Clasen added: “There is no doubt that electrification is a key element in the green transition of shipping, particularly when it comes to ferries and coastal shipping. We can certainly take pride in the fact that Denmark is home to a ferry operator leading the way globally in more sustainable ferry operations based on battery technology.”

According to the analysis, battery-powered vessels with a combined tonnage of 136,639 GT are currently under construction or on order worldwide. Molslinjen’s three ferries account for 47,325 GT of that total.

The ferry operator has already introduced electric vessels on domestic routes, including the Samsø and Als lines, as part of its broader strategy to reduce operational emissions.

Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark are also scheduled to visit the Incat Tasmania shipyard on 19 March during an official visit to Australia.