Indigo Seaways relaunches India’s first and largest solar-powered Ro-Pax ferry between Hazira and Gogha

Surat (Gujarat) [India]: Indigo Seaways Private Limited (ISPL) has relaunched the commercial operations of the much-awaited ferry service between Hazira in Surat and Godha in Bhavnagar starting from September 7. The Voyage Express—one of its two ferry vessels—is India’s first and largest solar-powered Ro-Pax, which will provide greater convenience to passengers as well as cargo transit between Surat to Saurashtra and vice versa.

Hazira-Gogha Ro-Pax ferry services between South Gujarat and Saurashtra by sea were temporarily suspended owing to technological and economic concerns for about 45 days. Indigo Seaways will be operating two vessels namely Voyage Express and Voyage Symphony from the newly constructed jetty of the Deendayal Port Trust (DPT) in Hazira.

the Ro-Pax ferry will transfer passengers and cargo between the two destinations in three hours.

The solar-powered Ro-Pax ferry, according to ISPL, will drastically reduce fuel usage, adding to the Central Government’s efforts to promote the use of renewable energy. Furthermore, travellers will have the option to travel between Hazira and Gogha twice a day.

Chetan Contractor, chairman and managing director of ISPL said, “Voyage Express is the country’s first solar-powered Ro-Pax ferry generating 100 MW electricity to satisfy the energy needs in the cafeterias, decks, rooms etc. We will be saving more than 500 litres of diesel per trip. The solar-powered ferry is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision on renewable energy”

Voyage Express will leave Ghogha daily at 9 am and arrive Hazira at 12 noon. It will leave Hazira at 6pm and arrive Ghogha at 9pm. Voyage Sympony will daily leave Hazira at 8 am and arrive Ghogha at 12 noon
Voyage Express is outfitted with cutting-edge technology to ensure passengers’ comfort and freight movement between South Gujarat and Saurashtra. The ferry is fully air-conditioned, with three cafeterias, game zones, and a top deck where one can enjoy the sea’s majesty.

It can transport 180 executive passengers, 115 business passengers, 80 sleeper class passengers, 22 VIP lounges, and 11 cabins. The ship has a capacity of 70 automobiles, 50 motorcycles, 25 tempos, and 55 trucks. Voyage Symphony, on the other hand, has a capacity of 316 executive passengers, 78 business passengers, 14 VIP lounges, 85 automobiles, 50 bikes, and 30 trucks.