Mumbai, one of the world’s most congested cities, is turning to the sea—and cutting-edge Swedish technology—to fix its overloaded transport systems. A new electric ferry initiative led by marine tech company Candela and Indian operator JalVimana will see the launch of the world’s largest fleet of hydrofoiling commuter ferries.
The first phase includes 11 Candela P-12 electric ferries, forming the backbone of a new water-based public transport network aimed at transforming urban mobility across the sprawling Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With more than 23 million residents, much of the city’s current infrastructure is at breaking point. Mumbai’s famously clogged roads and slow overland commutes have created the need for a faster, greener alternative.
The new hydrofoil ferries promise exactly that. Designed by Stockholm-based Candela, the P-12 is a fully electric vessel that uses computer-controlled hydrofoils to lift the hull out of the water while underway. This drastically reduces drag, energy use and noise, while virtually eliminating wake and slamming. As a result, the P-12 operates efficiently, quietly, and with minimal impact on surrounding marine environments. It can cruise at high speeds with a much lower energy cost than a conventional diesel-powered ferry.
The P-12 first launched into service in Stockholm in November 2024, where it cut daily commuter journey times across the Swedish capital’s waterways. In trials there, the P-12 completed a 15-kilometre run in just 30 minutes—15 minutes faster than the diesel equivalent, while consuming 80% less energy.
Mumbai’s initial deployment of 11 vessels marks the largest electric ferry fleet order in the world to date. The P-12 ferries will operate along some of the city’s most heavily trafficked water routes, including the popular tourist and commuter links between Gateway of India and Alibaug, and Gateway to Elephanta Island. The Alibaug trip, which can take 2–3 hours by car depending on traffic, will be reduced to under 30 minutes on the water. A third line is planned to connect the city’s new airport with central Mumbai, cutting travel time from 90 minutes to just half an hour.
“This is a groundbreaking project that unlocks the full potential of Mumbai’s waterways for efficient commuting,” said Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog, who called the P-12 “a vital new layer of mobility” for growing megacities.
According to JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur, the ferry programme is a key part of the state’s vision for a more sustainable and efficient transport network. “JalVimana is honoured to bring this Swedish gift to our ancient shores,” he said. He described the Candela P-12 as a “giant leap” toward national goals for sustainable use of India’s vast coastline and inland waterways.
The project has received strong backing from the Maharashtra state government, including Ports Minister Nitesh Rane and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, both of whom have promoted the idea of thousands of electric vessels transforming Mumbai’s marine corridors into high-speed commuter routes.
The Candela P-12’s success in Stockholm has sparked interest well beyond Sweden. Saudi Arabia has ordered eight P-12s for use in Neom, the country’s high-tech city development project. The boats will also be deployed in Berlin, where they will run services on the Spree River, and in the US on Lake Tahoe, helping cut commute times across key transport bottlenecks.
Candela recently closed a US$14 million investment round to scale production to meet surging global demand, bringing its total 2024 investment to over US$40 million. With expanding interest from multiple continents, the company sees Mumbai as a strategic milestone for its ambitions to reshape the future of waterborne transport globally.
For Mumbai, the decision to harness its neglected waterways could help decongest roads, slash emissions, and showcase India’s commitment to clean energy infrastructure. If successful, it may serve as a blueprint for other coastal megacities facing similar challenges.
