India's Mumbai tackles traffic with world’s largest electric ferry fleet from Sweden’s Candela

Dubai: Mumbai is launching a major public transport shift — not on roads or rails, but on water. The city has placed an order for 11 Candela P-12 electric ferries from Swedish marine technology firm Candela, with plans to scale up to thousands of vessels over time.

The move marks the start of a new electric water transport network, designed to ease chronic road congestion in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

JalVimana, a Mumbai-based ferry operator, will run the service, beginning with two heavily trafficked routes: the Gateway of India to Alibaug and to Elephanta Island.

Both routes currently take over two hours by car or road ferry but will be cut down to less than 30 minutes by water, according to the company. A third line connecting the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport with South Mumbai is also in the works.

Candela’s P-12 ferries are powered by electric motors and feature computer-guided hydrofoils — underwater wings that lift the hull above water, reducing drag and energy use by up to 80%. These “flying ferries” run silently and without creating wakes, making them not just fast and green, but ideal for urban waterways.

“This is a transformative leap for Mumbai,” said JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur, adding that the partnership with Candela aligns with India’s broader push for clean transport and sustainable coastal development.

With a population of over 23 million and some of India’s most congested roads, Mumbai is increasingly looking to its underutilised coastline to ease mobility issues. Maharashtra state officials, including Ports Minister Nitesh Rane and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have expressed support for a large-scale ferry rollout, backed by policy and infrastructure investments.

“This project unlocks the full potential of Mumbai’s waterways,” said Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog. “Hydrofoils are the next generation of maritime commuting — efficient, quiet, and far less polluting than diesel ferries.”

The 11-vessel deal is the largest single electric ferry fleet order globally to date. It follows the P-12’s successful trial in Stockholm in late 2024, where it became part of the city’s public transport system and cut emissions while slashing travel times.

As India races to meet climate goals and build smarter cities, experts say water-based commuting — powered by clean tech — could become a model for other coastal urban hubs facing similar challenges.