Mumbai introduces 11 Candela P-12 electric ferries to ease road congestion, boost sustainable water transport, and cut commute times dramatically.
Mumbai: In a revolutionary step toward sustainable transport, Mumbai is set to transform its waterways with the world’s largest electric ferry fleet. Eleven high-speed Candela P-12 hydrofoiling ferries will be deployed by JalVimana to form the backbone of a futuristic commuter network on water, targeting some of the city’s busiest routes.
This initiative, supported by Maharashtra’s Ports Minister Nitesh Rane and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is part of the state’s larger ambition to modernise urban mobility and reduce road congestion by embracing the city’s vast coastline. Over time, the electric ferry network could grow into thousands of vessels, establishing Mumbai as a global pioneer in green marine transit.
The P-12, developed by Swedish tech firm Candela, uses advanced hydrofoil technology to lift above water, reducing drag and energy consumption by 80%. It runs silently, without wake, slamming or emissions—making it a breakthrough for clean and efficient transport.
Announcing the partnership in Stockholm, Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog and JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur confirmed the purchase of the initial fleet during Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s official visit. JalVimana will operate the P-12s, with expansion plans already under way.
The first routes will connect the Gateway of India to Alibaug and Elephanta Island—journeys that currently take hours by road. The Candela P-12 will cut travel times to just minutes. Another key route is planned to link Mumbai’s new international airport with the city centre, reducing the trip from 90 minutes to under 30.
“This is a giant leap for India’s coastal and inland waterway transport,” said Thakur. “We’re proud to bring Candela’s innovation to our shores and help Mumbai leapfrog outdated systems.”
Hasselskog added, “Our mission is to decarbonise waterborne transport. The P-12’s success in Stockholm shows its global potential—now we’re thrilled to bring it to Mumbai.”
As the world’s first city to adopt Candela’s P-12 at this scale, Mumbai is not only tackling congestion but also shaping the future of smart, sustainable urban mobility.
