What Incat Tasmania does

Incat Tasmania (legal entity Incat Australia Pty Ltd) is a privately held Australian shipbuilder headquartered at the Prince of Wales Bay shipyard in Hobart, Tasmania, and operates what it describes as Australia's largest commercial shipyard — five construction halls covering more than 70,000 m² of undercover production. Founded in the early 1990s on aluminium catamaran technology, the company has built a fleet of more than 90 vessels delivered to operators in 24 countries and has pivoted in the 2020s toward large-scale battery-electric propulsion, anchored by Hull 096 — the 130-metre Wave Piercing Catamaran delivered for Buquebus that is the world's largest battery-electric ship at 41.2 MWh installed capacity. Incat's core technology is a lightweight aluminium hull design refined over four decades, integrated with third-party electric propulsion (Wärtsilä), energy storage (Corvus Energy, Echandia), and high-power charging (Wabtec), designed and engineered in exclusive partnership with Revolution Design.

The product portfolio spans aluminium ferries from 17 m to 130 m with conventional diesel, hybrid, or fully battery-electric propulsion. Active flagship programmes include three 129-metre battery-electric ferries for Danish operator Molslinjen (Hull 102 plus two further vessels, featuring 44.75 MWh battery systems and 58 MW rapid charging for Kattegat corridor service) and the 78-metre hybrid Hull 100. Revenue is generated almost exclusively through bespoke vessel construction contracts sold directly to commercial ferry operators and government transport authorities on a project basis, with multi-year build cycles and pricing determined through direct commercial negotiation. Distribution is direct enterprise sales, supported by the Service@Incat aftermarket network, a Tasmanian apprenticeship pipeline via TasTAFE, and a marketing footprint anchored on a website, video library, Incat Insider newsletter, industry conferences (Shippax), and earned media. The company is family-controlled (Robert Clifford as Chairman, Craig Clifford as Managing Director) with no identified institutional, PE, or public-market ownership, and is currently expanding capacity via a new shipbuilding facility and a planned third production hall.

Name

Incat Tasmania

Legal name

Incat Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://incat.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Incat Tasmania is a privately held Australian aluminium shipbuilder that designs and builds bespoke high-speed Wave Piercing Catamarans — including the world's largest battery-electric ferry — for commercial ferry operators and government transport authorities worldwide, headquartered at Hobart's Prince of Wales Bay shipyard.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aluminium Shipbuilding and High-Speed Ferry Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger Ferries & Water Taxis (Fast Ferries, RoPax, Catamarans) (IMAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Navigation, Communications & Integrated Bridge Systems Engineering (IMAJAGAH)

Keywords

• Aluminium shipbuilding
• High-speed catamaran ferries
• Battery-electric vessels
• Marine vessel construction
• Ferry engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Derwent

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Vessel Construction Contracts: Design and construction of custom aluminium ferries sold directly to ferry operators worldwide. Revenue is earned through project-based contracts with long development and construction timelines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Incat Tasmania designs and constructs high-speed aluminium Wave Piercing Catamaran (WPC) ferries for commercial ferry operators worldwide, ranging from under 50-metre vessels to the 130-metre Hull 096. The company offers battery-electric, hybrid, and conventional propulsion options, integrated with Wärtsilä waterjets and e-motors, Corvus Energy battery systems, and Wabtec rapid charging. It complements vessel construction with a global after-sales support network (Service@Incat) for maintenance, repairs, spare parts, and dry-dock project management.

Product overview

Incat Tasmania operates as the world's leading aluminium shipbuilder, delivering a portfolio of high-speed Wave Piercing Catamaran (WPC) ferries ranging from 17m custom vessels to the 130m Hull 096, the world's largest battery-electric ship. The company offers electric, hybrid, and conventional propulsion options across its vessel lineup. Core products include the flagship battery-electric ferries (Hull 096 for Buquebus, Hull 102 for Molslinjen) alongside conventional vessels for global operators. The portfolio is supported by a modular construction platform enabling simultaneous multi-vessel builds, the Service@Incat global support network, and apprenticeship training programs. Technology partnerships with Wärtsilä (propulsion), Corvus Energy (batteries), and Wabtec (charging) are integrated into the electric vessel offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hull 096 (China Zorrilla) 130-metre Wave Piercing Catamaran (WPC) battery-electric ferry and the world's largest battery-electric ship, with 41.2 MWh battery capacity, 2,100-passenger and 225-vehicle capacity, designed for Buquebus on the Buenos Aires (Argentina) to Colonia (Uruguay) route.
• Hull 102 (Molslinjen Ferry) 129-metre Wave Piercing Catamaran (WPC) battery-electric ferry for Danish operator Molslinjen, Europe's largest battery-electric ferry, with 44.75 MWh battery, 40-knot speed, 1,500-passenger and 500-car capacity, and 30-minute rapid charging via Wabtec 58 MW system on the Kattegat corridor.
• Hull 100

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ MWh battery system - four times larger than any previous maritime battery installation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Revolution DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist naval architecture and engineering firm partnered exclusively with Incat for decades to develop world-leading high-speed aluminium and electric vessel designs. Provides advanced naval architecture including hull optimisation, structural design, performance analysis, and propulsion system configuration.
• WärtsiläcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing integrated electric propulsion systems for Incat's battery-electric ferries. Partnership delivers advanced, fully integrated energy and propulsion systems enabling high-speed, large-scale electric ferry operations.
• Corvus EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationBattery supplier providing energy storage systems for Incat vessels. Supplied the 40+ MWh battery systems for Hull 096, the world's largest battery-electric ferry.
• Liferaft Systems AustraliasupportingTechnology or IntegrationTasmanian company supplying Marine Evacuation Systems for Incat vessels including Hull 096. Provides 22-metre inflatable evacuation slides and 128-person liferafts as part of vessel safety infrastructure.
• TasTAFEsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegistered Training Organisation (RTO) partner providing off-the-job training for Incat apprentices. Located conveniently near Incat's facilities, delivering formal learning components for Certificate III and IV qualifications.
• EchandiasupportingTechnology or IntegrationSwedish battery system supplier contracted to deliver battery systems for a new 78-metre hybrid catamaran being built by Incat Tasmania, enabling fully electric, hybrid, or generator operation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Austal: Australian-based shipbuilder of high-speed aluminium catamaran ferries and military vessels, headquartered in Henderson, Western Australia. Most direct global competitor to Incat in aluminium fast ferries, with overlapping customer base in European, Caribbean, and Australian ferry markets.
• Brødrene Aa: Norwegian builder of carbon-fibre and composite high-speed catamaran ferries (e.g., Future of the Fjords, Rygerdoktoren). Directly comparable to Incat as a specialist in lightweight, sustainable fast-ferry construction with strong European operator relationships.
• Fjellstrand: Norwegian aluminium catamaran shipbuilder producing fast ferries such as the Ampere (world's first battery-electric car ferry, 2015). A pioneer and direct competitor in zero-emission aluminium catamaran ferries, often cited as the European benchmark Incat follows.
• Fassmer Shipyard: German family-owned shipbuilder producing ferries, patrol vessels, and lifeboats, with a fast-ferry and special-vessel division. Competitor in the high-speed aluminium passenger ferry space, with strong references in European public transport ferries.

Emerging players

• Strategic Marine: Singapore-headquartered aluminium fast-ferry shipbuilder with shipyards in Vietnam and Australia. Direct overlap in catamaran ferries, with a smaller scale but growing presence in Southeast Asia and Australian defence/workboat segments.
• Alumarine Shipyard: Finnish aluminium boatbuilder specialising in workboats, pilot boats, and small passenger ferries. Smaller-scale competitor in the aluminium passenger and crew-transfer market, complementary in size class to Incat's smaller offerings (under 50m).

Broad incumbents

• Damen Shipyards: Large Dutch shipbuilding group with a broad portfolio including ferries, workboats, and naval vessels. Operates multiple yards globally and competes in passenger ferries as part of a wider portfolio, including hybrid/electric RoPax vessels.
• Fincantieri: Italian-headquartered global shipbuilding leader in cruise ships, ferries, and naval vessels. Operates in the large passenger ferry segment (e.g., for Tirrenia, GNV) and is investing in low-emission ferries - a broad incumbent that overlaps at the high end of the ferry market.

Others

• Wärtsilä: Finnish marine technology company providing integrated propulsion, energy storage, and lifecycle solutions for the maritime industry. Listed here as a core technology partner for Incat's electric ferries, also a major supplier of hybrid/electric systems to other ferry builders.
• Corvus Energy: Canadian-headquartered supplier of energy storage systems (batteries) for maritime and offshore applications. Listed as a key technology partner supplying 40+ MWh systems for Incat's Hull 096, and a major supplier across the broader electric ferry ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/IncatTasmania
• Facebookfacebook.com/incattas
• Instagraminstagram.com/incattas/?hl=en
• Xx.com/Incat_Tasmania
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/incat-tasmania

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Incat Tasmania