Mumbai to Launch World’s Largest Fleet of Electric Flying Ferries: Alibaug Now Just 30 Minutes Away
Mumbai to Launch World's Largest Fleet of Electric Flying Ferries: Alibaug Now Just 30 Minutes Away
Mumbai is gearing up for a major leap in green transportation with the introduction of 11 high-speed electric flying ferries aimed at easing the city’s traffic congestion.
These ferries — called Candela P-12 — are being brought in by JalVimana, a local water transport company. Built in Sweden, these vessels are not conventional boats. Instead, they operate on hydrofoil technology, which lifts them above the water using underwater wings. This design helps reduce drag, minimize noise, and cut energy use dramatically.
Not only are they fast and quiet, but the Candela P-12 ferries are also fully electric, producing zero emissions. Their smooth and silent operation makes them an ideal solution for a city like Mumbai, where both air quality and traffic congestion remain ongoing challenges.
According to Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog, this project is a major step forward in showcasing how Mumbai’s waterways can be used to ease urban transportation woes.
Initially, the ferries will run routes connecting the Gateway of India to Alibaug and Elephanta Island, reducing what is usually a nearly three-hour road journey to just 30 minutes by sea. There are also plans to establish a future link between Navi Mumbai Airport and the city center by ferry.
This development is part of Maharashtra’s broader coastal transport strategy, which aims to turn the state’s long coastline into an eco-friendly corridor. State authorities are already looking at introducing thousands of additional electric vessels over the coming years.
The agreement for the Candela P-12 fleet was signed in Stockholm during a visit by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. JalVimana’s CEO Niraj Thakur described the project as a “giant leap for Mumbai’s sustainable future.”
