South West Tourism Development (SWTD) has announced a new fleet of two partly solar‑powered, electric roll‑on/roll‑off ferries that will operate in the port city of Kochi. The vessels are designed to carry both passengers and vehicles, with a significant portion of their energy supplied by solar panels mounted on the decks.
Commissioning is slated for October 2027, after a series of trials and safety checks. The project is part of a broader initiative to modernise maritime transport in the region and cut greenhouse‑gas emissions from ferries.
Local authorities expect the new ferries to improve traffic flow across the city’s waterways while providing a more sustainable mode of travel for commuters. The launch is seen as a step forward in Kerala’s green transport agenda and may set a precedent for other coastal cities in West Bengal and beyond.
