India's Kochi Metro Rail welcomes new hybrid ferry to fleet

Indian government-owned transport company Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) took delivery of a new hybrid electric catamaran ferry from Cochin Shipyard (CSL) on Thursday, January 9.

The newbuild belongs to a series of 23 hybrid electric ferries that CSL is building for KRML. Its daily operations will entail providing commuter ferry services between the southern Indian city of Kochi and 10 nearby islands.

The ferry has an aluminium hull, a length of 24 metres, a draught of 0.9 metres, and capacity for 100 passengers, 50 of which will be seated.

The vessel is equipped with an electric propulsion system that draws power from a DNV-approved 122kWh lithium-titanium oxide (LTO) battery pack, which, when fully charged, can enable it to sail for up to one hour.

KRML had decided to use LTO batteries for the new ferries as these were deemed the safest option following a comparison of various types of lithium batteries.

The new KRML hybrid ferry was designed and built in compliance with Indian Register of Shipping rules.