India and Canada Team Up for Smart Electric Boat Project
In a significant move towards sustainable waterways and clean transportation, the Government of India has officially partnered with Vijai Marine Services Pvt. Ltd. (VMSPL) in Goa to launch ‘The Smart Sea Project by VACE’. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Indian government to promote technological innovation, industry-driven solutions, and self-reliance in clean transportation.
The Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) are at the forefront of this bilateral program with Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) and Global Affairs Canada, which supports joint research and development projects aimed at creating market-ready technologies. The collaboration intends to foster industrial growth and generate societal benefits through innovative transportation solutions.
The main objective of the project is to design and operationalize a state-of-the-art 20-passenger electric boat, which aligns with India’s goals of establishing eco-friendly waterways while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. VMSPL is tasked with engineering a new vessel constructed from high-strength, low-weight fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) that adheres to Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards. This vessel will feature advanced electric outboard motors and battery systems, coupled with a sophisticated digital console developed in collaboration with Canadian partner ACEL Power Inc.
This project represents a notable advancement in clean inland and coastal water transport, promising reduced emissions, quieter operations, and enhanced efficiency. These efforts complement existing government policies that advocate for cleaner and more energy-efficient transport solutions.
Vijai Marine Services Pvt. Ltd., known for its innovative approach and ISO 9001:2008 certification, specializes in designing and delivering a variety of marine craft. The electric propulsion systems being developed through this collaboration will be tailored specifically for India’s unique operational environments, with applications in tourism and local transportation services.
Anticipated Outcomes of the Project
The project aims to achieve several key outcomes, including:
- Creation of electric boats suitable for water taxi services, eco-tourism circuits, and river passenger transport.
- Support for responsible tourism through the introduction of low-noise and non-polluting vessels, which are ideal for sensitive ecological areas.
- Utilization of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) and vacuum-infusion techniques to improve the durability and performance of the boats.
- Demonstration that electric boats can offer competitive endurance and reliability compared to conventional diesel-powered vessels.
During the announcement, Sh. Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of the TDB, emphasized the government’s commitment to industry-focused research and innovation. He stated, ‘Through the Indo-Canada Collaborative R&D Programme, the Government of India is fostering research that leads to deployable technologies. This project supports the development of green waterways, enhances marine engineering, and bolsters our domestic capabilities in advanced mobility solutions.’
Representatives from VMSPL expressed their gratitude for the support from the TDB, affirming that this collaboration will enable the rollout of commercial electric boats specifically designed for Indian conditions. This initiative is poised to make water transport safer, cleaner, and more efficient, aligning with global sustainability goals.
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