Asia/Pacific News
Launch of Zero Emissions Ferry Marred by Suspected Sabotage
The launch of India's first solar powered ferry, Aditya, has been marred by suspected sabotage, according to local media reports.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the 75-seater solar powered passenger ferry, built by India-based NavAlt, is being operated by the Kerala State Water Transport Department.
However, following the vessel's recent launch on the Vaikom-Thavanakkadavu route, one of the two rudder plates is reported to have fallen off the vessel during travel.
"A dozen nuts and bolts keep the rudder plate intact. The nuts and bolts won't get loosened without external effort," said a source involved in the ferry's construction.
The unfastened rudder plate is said to have been recovered from the lake bed by divers, and an investigation into its detachment is now underway, with sabotage said to be a possibility under examination.
As reported in June, the vessel's construction was valued at INR 2 million ($30,000), with the solar ferry expected to make savings of INR 3 million ($45,000) per year in bunker costs.
