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 vessels, currently under construction, are expected to be launched within six months, company officials confirmed.

Navalt founder and CEO Sandith Thandasherry said the Ro-Ros will have the capacity to carry four 40-foot container trucks or up to 30 cars per trip. SWTD authorities will determine the specific routes and operational details for the vessels once launched. “These are among the first new-generation boats the company is now diversifying into,” Thandasherry added.

Navalt has a proven track record in the sector, having manufactured 80 vessels deployed across 11 Indian states. The company has also exported boats to Canada, Israel, the Maldives, and Seychelles. Initially focused on public transport ferries and slow-speed inland vessels, Navalt is now expanding into high-speed and sea-going electric vessels.

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The new Ro-Ros will be solar-run, marking a step toward electrifying larger, fuel-intensive maritime segments. Thandasherry revealed that the company is developing high-speed foiling vessels capable of 35 knots, which use hydrofoil technology to reduce drag and enhance energy efficiency. Navalt has also received orders for larger vessels, including tugs, targeting sectors where electrification can deliver maximum environmental and economic impact.

The startup emphasizes that locally manufactured electric boats not only reduce costs but also strengthen India’s strategic industrial capabilities. “Our earlier projects have proved that solar electric boats are both cleaner and economically viable,” said Thandasherry.

Navalt’s ambitious roadmap includes several major domestic and international projects planned before the end of the year. From inland transport ferries to high-speed and heavy-duty maritime applications, the company aims to lead India’s transition toward sustainable and energy-efficient marine transport.

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