Latest news with #JalVimana
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Time of India
Could the electric hydrofoil ferry change the way we commute?
During the golden age for ferries in the 1800s, steamboats dotted the shorelines of coastal cities to transport passengers. Then cars and trains took over. Now, driven by congestion and the revitalisation of urban waterfronts, ferries are making a comeback. But, what operators struggle to offer is a fast, sustainable mode of transit. "Commuters want speed," said Jakob Kuttenkeuler, a professor of naval architecture at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Over the last few months, however, Stockholm has been testing a vessel that may solve that problem: the world's first electric hydrofoil ferry . Developed by a Swedish start-up, Candela, a 30-seat, battery-driven vessel known as the P-12 has almost halved the commute time of a conventional diesel ferry - to 30 minutes - across an 11-mile stretch between the island of Ekero and City Hall in the centre of Stockholm. At the same time, the P-12 emits 95% less emissions than the diesel ferry and uses 80% less energy, according to SL, the Stockholm public transport authority. Gustav Hasselskog, Candela's founder and chief executive, said the realisation, 11 years ago, that his speedboat guzzled 15 times as much fuel as his car had set him on a course to develop an energy-efficient maritime solution. "High-speed passenger ferries and boats are the least fuel-efficient mode of transit in the world because almost all energy is used to push away the water," he said. "If you convert to electric, you need massive amounts of batteries, which are expensive and have limited range. The only way to go far and fast on the same battery is when you hydrofoil." Hydrofoils are the winglike structures mounted under a boat's hull to lift the craft above the water as it gains speed, much as airplane wings do through the air. The technique drastically reduces drag from water friction and allows for faster, more energy-efficient travel. Kuttenkeuler, who invented the Efoil, an electric hydrofoil board that glides above the water's surface, said hydrofoil technology was a common marine transport system in the 1980s but was phased out because of the high operational costs. Advancements in digitalisation, composite materials and sensor technology have contributed to its comeback, he added. In addition to the environmental benefits, the electric hydrofoil has several other advantages. The batteries are relatively small, so they do not require massive charging infrastructure. They do not generate waves that erode the shoreline or wreak havoc for windsurfers and moored boats in their wake. And because they are kept level by a computer and soar over the waves, they do not cause seasickness. So far, Mumbai, India, has the most ambitious plans for the P-12. JalVimana, the local shuttle operator, will begin with 11 ferries on popular tourist routes from the Gateway of India to Alibag and Elephanta Island. A third route will connect the airport with the centre of Mumbai, cutting travel time from 90 minutes by car to less than 30 minutes on the water.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mumbai Electric Ferries: Mumbai to Launch World's Largest Fleet of Electric Flying Ferries to Combat Traffic, ET TravelWorld
Advt By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETTravelWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETTravelWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. Mumbai is set to ease its chronic traffic congestion by turning to the sea. A fleet of 11 flying electric ferries will soon serve commuters in the city, offering faster, cleaner alternatives to road travel. The hydrofoiling Candela P-12 vessels, ordered by Mumbai-based operator JalVimana, will spearhead the creation of a high-speed electric transport network across the city's announcement was made during India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal 's visit to Stockholm, where Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog and JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur confirmed the purchase. The Candela P-12 — a Swedish innovation — uses underwater wings to lift the hull above water, dramatically reducing drag, energy use, and emissions while offering a smooth, silent ride.'This is a groundbreaking project that unlocks the full potential of Mumbai's waterways,' said Hasselskog. 'With the P-12, we will show that foiling electric ferries can add a vital new layer of mobility to Mumbai.'The initiative forms part of Maharashtra's broader vision to revolutionise urban transport by investing in sustainable maritime infrastructure . Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane have announced plans for thousands of electric vessels to integrate the coastline into the public transport first phase includes routes between the Gateway of India and Alibaug — cutting travel time from nearly three hours by road to less than 30 minutes — and to Elephanta Island. A new line linking the upcoming airport to central Mumbai is also in development.'This is a giant leap for Mumbai and our national goals for a sustainable future along India's vast coastline,' said Thakur. 'JalVimana is honoured to bring this Swedish innovation to Indian shores.'Candela's P-12 made its commercial debut in Stockholm in late 2024, significantly reducing emissions and commute times. The Mumbai fleet represents the world's largest order of electric passenger ferries , positioning the city as a global leader in urban maritime mobility.
