Maldivia 45: Three Hulls Complete, Sea Trials Begin in October as Series Production Gains Speed

First vessel to prove fuel savings on outboard power, boats No. 2 and 3 to follow with high-efficiency inboard shaft drives · Business-class seating developed with automotive partner · Full-electric inboard drive with DNV-approved LFP batteries now available to order

Polis, September 2026 – The Maldivia 45, the lightweight composite passenger vessel developed for the demanding sea conditions of the Maldives, has reached a decisive stage in its programme. Three hulls have now been completed at the production facility, and hull No. 1 will begin sea trials in October 2026. With the CNC-milled high-temperature moulds in full use and the new facility expanding steadily, series production is ramping up.

Sea trials to prove fuel savings

The first boat will be tested with outboard engines, a deliberate choice that allows a direct, like-for-like comparison with competing vessels on the market, most of which run on outboard power. The trials will document the fuel reduction the Maldivia 45 achieves under real operating conditions.

The design targets a fuel saving of 40 to 70 percent compared with conventional vessels in its class. The key is weight: built from carbon or E-glass epoxy prepreg, the Maldivia 45 operates at 10 to 13 tonnes fully loaded, where comparable ferries weigh 21 tonnes or more. For operators, this translates into fuel savings of up to USD 576,000 per vessel per year compared with the leading competitor, based on 2,000 operating hours at Maldivian fuel prices. At world-average fuel prices, the savings are even higher.

Boats No. 2 and 3: inboard shaft drives for high-utilisation operators

The second and third boats is fitted with inboard diesel engines and shaft drives. The Maldivia 45's hull was designed specifically for this configuration. Its propellers run in tunnels, with a very shallow shaft angle and hydrodynamically optimised shaft brackets, so almost all of the engine's thrust pushes the vessel forward. Calculations show that the shaft drive installation needs around 6 percent less propulsive power than outboard engines. Optimised propellers reduce the power demand by another 10 percent, for a total saving of about 15 percent.

The effect on fuel consumption is substantial. At a cruising speed of 30 knots, the inboard Maldivia 45 with two 260 hp diesel engines uses around 80 litres per hour, and the carbon version as little as 72 litres per hour. The outboard version uses around 200 litres of petrol per hour, and the leading competitor with four outboard engines uses around 360 litres per hour. For an operator running 1,000 hours per year, choosing the inboard version over the outboard version saves around USD 120,000 in fuel every year at Maldivian fuel prices, and more than USD 160,000 at world-average prices. Compared with the leading competitor, the inboard Maldivia 45 uses about 78 percent less fuel.

Inboard diesel engines also last longer and are more reliable than outboard engines. For operators, this means less downtime, fewer engine replacements and lower maintenance costs. The inboard Maldivia 45 is therefore the best choice for operators running their boats 1,000 hours per year or more, which is typical for scheduled ferry and resort transfer services.

Business-class comfort, developed with automotive expertise

The Maldivia 45 can be fitted with a new generation of super-luxury business-class seats, developed together with an automotive supplier. The seats were engineered specifically for the vessel, matching its dimensions, weight targets and operating requirements precisely. Passengers benefit from a level of comfort previously unknown on inter-island transfers, while operators gain a premium product for resort, VIP and charter services. The seats complement the vessel's fully air-conditioned cabin, panoramic glazing and deep-V hull, which is designed for smooth rides in monsoon conditions.

Full-electric option with DNV-approved battery technology

In addition to conventional diesel and petrol configurations, the Maldivia 45 can be ordered with a fully electric propulsion system. AEOMAR offers a newly developed inboard electric drive system with a total output of 160 kW continuous and 300 kW peak power. The system is combined with DNV-approved lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, which offer exceptional range for the class, a long service life, and very high thermal stability. LFP chemistry is inherently far less prone to thermal runaway than conventional lithium-ion batteries, making it particularly well suited to passenger operations in tropical climates.

Thanks to the vessel's low weight, the electric Maldivia 45 turns zero-emission island transfers into a commercially viable option rather than a showcase project.

About the Maldivia 45

The Maldivia 45 is a 13.88 m high-speed passenger vessel designed for inter-island transport in challenging sea conditions. It carries up to 55 passengers with 40 kg of luggage each, stored in a patented central luggage system. With a draft of less than 0.9 m, it reaches shallow lagoons and harbours that heavier vessels cannot serve, and its four boarding points allow access from both high quays and low pontoons. The hull is built from epoxy prepreg, eliminating osmosis and ensuring a long service life. The vessel is classified by DNV and is designed as a platform for eight interior layouts as well as future drive systems including hydrogen and fuel cells.

AEOMAR appointed official sales agent for Europe and the United States

AEOMAR, the design lead and project manager of the Maldivia 45 programme, has been appointed official sales agent for the vessel in Europe and the United States. Customers in these markets can now order the Maldivia 45 directly through AEOMAR in all configurations, including the ferry, VIP, dive and special-purpose versions. About the Maldivia 45

The Maldivia 45 is a 14.78-metre high-speed utility and passenger ferry platform built from carbon or glass-fibre epoxy prepreg composites using precision CNC-milled tooling. With a fully loaded displacement of 10–13 tonnes, an 8.7-tonne payload, a top speed of 44 knots and drive options spanning diesel, petrol, electric, LNG and hydrogen, the M45 is engineered to combine sustainability with profitability for commercial ferry operators worldwide. More information: www.maldiviashipyard.com

About AEOMAR

AEOMAR Ltd is a maritime consulting and composite production company headquartered in Polis, Cyprus, with production operations in China, Germany and the United Arab Emirates. AEOMAR specialises in the sustainable, high-performance production of boats and ships using carbon prepreg and advanced composite materials, and its production is certified to ISO 9001 and CCS (China Classification Society) standards. AEOMAR is the official sales agent for the Maldivia 45 in Europe and the United States. More information: www.aeomar.com

Media Contact

AEOMAR Ltd  Hans Genthe Main Office: Polis, Cyprus Email: service@aeomar.com  Phone office Cyprus: +357 97 46 69 67 Whatsapp: +49 176 56 34 54 38 Web: www.aeomar.com