Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) is set to enhance its fleet with the upcoming procurement of 15 electric boats, aimed at improving service frequency on the highly frequented High Court–Fort Kochi and Vyttila–Kakkanad routes. These new vessels will not only serve Fort Kochi and Kakkanad but will also establish connections to the mainland areas of Edakochi, Kadamakudy, Kumbalam, and Thevara.
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Sajan P. John, the Chief Operating Officer of KWML, expressed optimism about the new electric ferries, stating, “The induction of new vessels would help connect more islands with mainland Kochi. We decided to opt for electric ferries after gaining confidence from operating the electric-hybrid ones for over three years.” Currently, KWML operates a fleet of 20 electric-hybrid ferries in the Greater Kochi area. With the addition of the new boats, the total number of Water Metro ferries will increase to 38, including three more from the initial batch expected to join soon.
Improved Service Frequency
The pre-bid meetings for the tender have concluded, with qualified firms set to submit their bids by Monday, August 10. Each of the new electric ferries is designed to accommodate up to 100 passengers. Mr. John highlighted that the introduction of these additional ferries will allow KWML to operate a ferry every 10 minutes during peak hours on the Fort Kochi and Kakkanad routes, a significant improvement from the current schedule of one ferry every 15 to 20 minutes. To support this increased frequency, KWML plans to install more floating pontoons at the Vyttila and High Court terminals, as well as at the South Chittoor ferry terminal.
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Design Enhancements
The new ferries will feature outboard motors, which can be lifted to facilitate the removal of floating debris, such as ropes that may become entangled. This design change addresses a significant operational challenge faced by the first batch of ferries, which were equipped with inboard motors that required workers to dive beneath the vessels to clear debris—a process that was both time-consuming and labor-intensive. While the overall design will remain similar, these enhancements are expected to streamline operations significantly.
The Kochi Water Metro project aims to extend the metro rail experience to waterways, providing reliable and safe transportation for approximately 100,000 island residents, thereby enhancing connectivity in the region.