Caverton and ExploMar Launch Electric Ferry Push to Transform Water Transport in Africa
Companies Involved
• Caverton Offshore Support Group
• ExploMar
What Happened?
• Caverton Marine (a subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group) has entered a strategic partnership with ExploMar.
• The partnership aims to advance electric water transportation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nature of the Partnership
• The agreement was signed on March 29, 2026 at the Shanghai Boat Show.
• Both companies:
• Signed orders for 20 electric engines and battery systems
• Planned development of onshore charging infrastructure
• Aim to build a standardised and scalable electric ferry system
Key Technology: OMIBUS EV 2.0 Ferry
At the center of the initiative is the upgraded OMIBUS EV 2.0 ferry, designed for zero-emission transport.
Features:
• 2 electric engines (300 horsepower each)
• Total output: 600 horsepower
• Battery system:
• 4 battery units
• 90kWh each
• Total capacity: 360kWh
• Designed for:
• Cost efficiency
• Cleaner energy (zero emissions)
• Improved performance over earlier models
Why This Matters (Africa Context)
• Many African cities (especially Lagos) are surrounded by water but:
• Still rely heavily on road transport
• Experience traffic congestion
• Underutilize waterways
This initiative seeks to:
• Shift transportation to waterways
• Reduce congestion on roads
• Introduce sustainable and cleaner transport alternatives
Strategic Goals of the Partnership
• Combine:
• Caverton’s expertise in marine operations and vessel design
• ExploMar’s expertise in electric propulsion and control systems
• Develop:
• Integrated ferry systems (vessels + charging infrastructure)
• Solutions tailored to African waterways
• Scalable models for wider adoption across the continent
Implementation Status
• Pilot operations are already underway in Lagos
• Collaboration is ongoing with regulatory bodies such as:
• National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA)
• Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA)
This indicates the project is already moving from concept to real-world deployment.
Industry Perspective
• Caverton’s CEO, Olabode Makanjuola, emphasized:
• Rising cost of fuel makes electric ferries more attractive
• Electric systems are better suited for dense urban water transport
• ExploMar’s CEO, Alex Dong, highlighted:
• Africa’s waterways represent a major opportunity for innovation
• The OMIBUS EV 2.0 could set new benchmarks in emerging markets
Simple Summary
• Caverton and ExploMar are partnering to introduce electric ferries in Africa.
• They have signed deals for electric engines and infrastructure.
• A new electric ferry (OMIBUS EV 2.0) is at the core of the project.
• Pilot testing is already ongoing in Lagos.
• The goal is to reduce congestion and promote clean, water-based transport.
Companies Involved
• Caverton Offshore Support Group
• ExploMar
What Happened?
• Caverton Marine (a subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group) has entered a strategic partnership with ExploMar.
• The partnership aims to advance electric water transportation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nature of the Partnership
• The agreement was signed on March 29, 2026 at the Shanghai Boat Show.
• Both companies:
• Signed orders for 20 electric engines and battery systems
• Planned development of onshore charging infrastructure
• Aim to build a standardised and scalable electric ferry system
Key Technology: OMIBUS EV 2.0 Ferry
At the center of the initiative is the upgraded OMIBUS EV 2.0 ferry, designed for zero-emission transport.
Features:
• 2 electric engines (300 horsepower each)
• Total output: 600 horsepower
• Battery system:
• 4 battery units
• 90kWh each
• Total capacity: 360kWh
• Designed for:
• Cost efficiency
• Cleaner energy (zero emissions)
• Improved performance over earlier models
Why This Matters (Africa Context)
• Many African cities (especially Lagos) are surrounded by water but:
• Still rely heavily on road transport
• Experience traffic congestion
• Underutilize waterways
This initiative seeks to:
• Shift transportation to waterways
• Reduce congestion on roads
• Introduce sustainable and cleaner transport alternatives
• Combine:
• Caverton’s expertise in marine operations and vessel design
• ExploMar’s expertise in electric propulsion and control systems
• Develop:
• Integrated ferry systems (vessels + charging infrastructure)
• Solutions tailored to African waterways
• Scalable models for wider adoption across the continent
Implementation Status
• Pilot operations are already underway in Lagos
• Collaboration is ongoing with regulatory bodies such as:
• National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA)
• Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA)
This indicates the project is already moving from concept to real-world deployment.
Industry Perspective
• Caverton’s CEO, Olabode Makanjuola, emphasized:
• Rising cost of fuel makes electric ferries more attractive
• Electric systems are better suited for dense urban water transport
• ExploMar’s CEO, Alex Dong, highlighted:
• Africa’s waterways represent a major opportunity for innovation
• The OMIBUS EV 2.0 could set new benchmarks in emerging markets
Simple Summary
• Caverton and ExploMar are partnering to introduce electric ferries in Africa.
• They have signed deals for electric engines and infrastructure.
• A new electric ferry (OMIBUS EV 2.0) is at the core of the project.
• Pilot testing is already ongoing in Lagos.
• The goal is to reduce congestion and promote clean, water-based transport.