By Victor Otigbu

SHANGHAI — Nigeria’s Caverton Offshore Support Group, through its subsidiary Caverton Marine, has entered into a strategic partnership with ExploMar to accelerate the adoption of electric-powered marine transport across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement was formalised on March 29, 2026, at the Shanghai Boat Show, with both firms signing orders for 20 electric engines and battery systems, alongside plans to develop supporting onshore charging infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Olabode Makanjuola, described the partnership as a major step toward transforming water transportation in Nigeria and beyond.

“The future of Nigeria’s waterways is electric,” Makanjuola said, noting that cities such as Lagos have vast but underutilised waterways, while residents remain burdened by road congestion.

He explained that the collaboration will focus on developing a standardised and scalable electric ferry platform tailored to the realities of African waterways, with pilot operations already underway in Lagos.

At the heart of the initiative is the OMIBUS EV 2.0, a next-generation electric ferry designed to deliver improved power, efficiency, and zero-emission transport. The vessel features dual 300-horsepower electric engines with a combined output of 600hp, powered by four 90kWh battery units.

According to Makanjuola, the new platform moves beyond proof-of-concept to offer a commercially viable alternative to diesel-powered ferries, especially in the face of rising fuel costs.

The partnership leverages Caverton’s expertise in marine operations across African waters and ExploMar’s advanced electric propulsion technology, with both companies aiming to develop a replicable model adaptable across the continent.

Chief Executive Officer of ExploMar, Alex Dong, described the collaboration as a shared mission to expand the global electric maritime transition to underserved markets.

“Africa’s waterways represent one of the most significant opportunities in sustainable transport. Our collaboration with Caverton is about building solutions that are robust, affordable, and suited to local conditions,” Dong said.

He added that the OMIBUS EV 2.0 reflects months of technical collaboration and is expected to set a new benchmark for electric ferry performance in emerging markets.

Makanjuola also confirmed that Caverton is working closely with key regulators, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), to ensure seamless integration of the electric vessels into Lagos’ transport network.

He emphasised that implementation of the project has already begun, with pilot operations progressing in Lagos.

“This is no longer a distant vision. The pilot is running, the platform is being built, and implementation has begun,” he said.

The initiative is expected to provide a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional ferry systems while contributing to efforts to reduce carbon emissions and modernise transport infrastructure across Africa.