Kochi-based startup Navalt, India’s largest manufacturer of solar electric boats, is set to deliver two 100-tonne capacity “roll on/roll off” (Ro-Ro) vessels to the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) later this year. The high-speed boats are currently under construction, Navalt founder and CEO Sandith Thandasherry told TNIE.
“These Ro-Ros can carry four 40-foot container trucks or 30 cars at a time. SWTD will determine the routes and other operational details,” Sandith said. An SWTD official confirmed the boats are expected to be launched within six months.
Navalt has so far manufactured 80 vessels deployed across 11 states and exported boats to countries including Canada, Israel, the Maldives, and Seychelles. Originally focused on public transport ferries and slow-speed inland vessels, the company is now expanding into larger and faster electric boats.
The Ro-Ros for SWTD are the first in this next-generation lineup, all powered by solar energy. Sandith explained that the company is moving into sea-going and high-speed vessels capable of 15 knots, with plans to develop hydrofoil boats reaching 35 knots. The hydrofoil technology reduces drag and allows energy-efficient fast transport. Navalt has also received orders for larger vessels like tugs, targeting segments where electrification can significantly reduce fuel consumption.
“Solar electric boats are not only cleaner but also economically viable,” Sandith said. “Designing and manufacturing technology in India reduces costs and builds strategic industrial capability.”
Navalt’s trajectory shows a steady progression from proving the feasibility of solar ferries to developing high-speed, heavy-duty maritime vessels. Several major projects are expected to launch before the end of the year, further cementing the company’s presence in both domestic and international waters.
