The future of public water transport has officially arrived in Vaikom. On February 20, 2026, Vaikom marked a historic milestone in sustainable mobility with the inauguration of three new-generation Aditya solar-electric ferries. 

Inaugurated by Shri K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Honorable Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala, this expansion transforms Vaikom into India’s first fully electric ferry terminal. 

 

The Evolution of a Fleet: 1 + 3 = 4 

The journey to a 100% electric terminal has been a phased transition from a single successful pilot to a full-scale fleet operation. 

• • The Pioneer (1 Boat): The original Aditya was launched back in 2017. For nearly nine years, it served as the “proof of concept,” proving that solar-electric transport is both reliable and economically superior to diesel. 

• • The Expansion (3 Boats): On February 20, 2026, three additional next-generation Aditya ferries were launched to replace the remaining diesel vessels at the Vaikom terminal. 

• • The Result (4 Boats): With these three new additions joining the original pioneer, Vaikom now operates a total of four Aditya 75-pax solar-electric ferries, making every scheduled service at the terminal fuel-free. 

The Power of the New Aditya Fleet 

Owned by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) and built by Navalt, these new vessels represent the pinnacle of solar-electric engineering. 

Technical Specifications for the New Aditya Fleet: 

• • Capacity: 75 passengers per boat 

• • Propulsion: 2 x 20 kW MAKO Electro Pod motors 

• • Solar Power: 20 kW solar system 

• • Battery Capacity: 2 x 43 kWh DNV-approved LFP batteries 

• • Range: Up to 100 km on a single sunny day 

• • Certification: IRS class certified 

A Legacy of Impact 

The expansion is built on the extraordinary track record of the first Aditya, which has traveled over 200,000 km and carried nearly 30 lakh passengers without burning a single drop of fuel. 

By scaling up to a four-boat fleet, the collective environmental impact has grown exponentially. Together, these four ferries will reduce CO₂ emissions by a massive 450 tonnes every year. This is equivalent to the environmental impact of planting thousands of trees annually. 

Powered by Vision: The Team Behind Aditya’s Success 

This incredible achievement is a testament to the dedicated and visionary team at Navalt. From the initial design of the original Aditya to the innovative engineering of this new three-vessel fleet, their tireless efforts are transforming the landscape of sustainable water transport in India. The Navalt team, proudly wearing shirts that say “Forged by the Sun”, continues to set new benchmarks for clean mobility, proving that passion and advanced solar-electric technology can create a greener future. 

Leading the Charge 

At Navalt, we are proud to partner with the Government of Kerala and the SWTD to deliver technology that protects our environment while serving the community. The transition to a fully electric terminal at Vaikom serves as a blueprint for sustainable waterways across the globe. 

The transformation of Vaikom is only the beginning of a state-wide revolution in sustainable transit. Navalt is currently expanding this green footprint with several new vessels under construction for the SWTD, including seven more 75-pax Aditya solar-electric ferries, four 30-pax solar-electric ferries, and two solar-electric RORO vessels. These innovative additions are set to be deployed across Kerala in the coming years, further solidifying the state’s position as a global leader in eco-friendly public water transport. 

The future of water mobility is electric, and in Vaikom, it is already in full operation.