The 100% electric ferry China Zorrilla was unveiled on Saturday (September 12) at the port of Nueva Palmira after completing a long journey from Australia to Uruguay.

The vessel was acquired by Uruguayan shipping company Buquebus and built in Tasmania. It made it's public debut at a local port.

Buquebus describes the ferry as the world's largest fully electric ship, adding it will "transform transportation between the two banks of the Rio de la Plata."

Following Saturday's unveiling, the China Zorrilla will be towed to the port of Colonia del Sacramento for final preparations before entering commercial service between Buenos Aires and Colonia.

The 130-meter-long ferry, built entirely of marine-grade aluminum, can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Its name honors Uruguayan actress Concepción "China" Zorrilla.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

NUEVA PALMIRA, COLONIA, URUGUAY (SEPTEMBER 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF ELECTRIC FERRY 'CHINA ZORRILLA'

2. BUQUEBUS DIRECTOR, JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ MENA, WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIRECTOR OF BUQUEBUS, JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ MENA, SAYING:

"When we start talking about the environment we think of our children, our grandchildren, those who are to come. Emissions must be reduced, that is a very important thing."

4. VARIOUS OF BUQUEBUS DIRECTOR AND ATTENDEE SPEAKING AT EVENT (NO SOUNDBITES)

5. BUSINESS LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAYAN MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, FERNANDA CARDONA, SAYING:

"Of course it has to do with transportation infrastructure, which is the other part that challenges us as a country. When you grow exponentially in transport you have to have the infrastructure that accompanies that growth, that it isn't burdensome for people. Opting for electric mobility isn't a burden, so we are moving towards that."

7. 'CHINA ZORRILLA' FERRY AT SEA

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAYAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, EDGARDO ORTUNO, SAYING:

"We also believe this project represents a bet on the future. The world is moving towards clean mobility, more efficient mobility, and here there is a bet from the company Buquebus that we recognise, but also from the transport sector and the country towards the sustainable development that the government wants for Uruguay."

COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, COLONIA, URUGUAY (SEPTEMBER 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. VARIOUS OF PORT FROM WHERE SHIP WILL SET SAIL

NUEVA PALMIRA, COLONIA, URUGUAY (SEPTEMBER 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

10. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF ELECTRIC SHIP 'CHINA ZORRILLA' AT SEA