ExploMar seals electric ferry propulsion deal for Nigeria
An agreement between ExploMar and Caverton was signed at CIBS 2026
Chinese outboard manufacturer ExploMar has secured an order at CIBS (China International Boat Show) 2026, after signing an agreement with Caverton Offshore Support Group for 20 electric propulsion systems and a 5S energy station.
The order forms part of a programme to introduce electric ferry operations in Lagos, Nigeria, where waterways already carry significant transport demand across a large urban area.
The agreement was signed during the event and marks the start of a longer-term collaboration between the two companies.
The Omibus EV 2.0 ferry, which sits at the centre of the project, uses twin 300hp electric propulsion systems, delivering a combined output of 600hp. Designed for commercial ferry operations, the platform aims to achieve lower operating costs and improved efficiency compared with petrol- or diesel-powered vessels.
ExploMar and Caverton say they have spent the past two years developing and testing the system together. A prototype ferry is already operating in Lagos, where it is transporting passengers as part of an ongoing pilot programme.
Olabode Makanjuola, CEO of Caverton Offshore Support Group, describes the collaboration as a defining moment for regional transportation.
“The future of Nigeria’s waterways is electric,” says Makanjuola. “Cities like Lagos are defined by water, yet millions of residents remain trapped in road congestion while vast waterway networks lie underutilised. Conventional petrol and diesel-powered ferries are costly to operate and increasingly difficult to justify in dense urban environments.”
Makanjuola also highlights China’s leadership in manufacturing scale and systems integration as central to the partnership’s ability to deliver solutions fit for emerging markets.
“This partnership sets out to validate an entirely new operating model under real-world conditions, beginning with pilot operations in Lagos, one of Africa’s most demanding and complex environments.”
Caverton has built ferries in Lagos for the past five years and says it plans to increase production. Additional vessels are already being discussed in cooperation with the state government.
Alex Dong, CEO of ExploMar, says: “Securing this order with Caverton is a meaningful step forward in bringing high-performance electric propulsion into large-scale, real-world operation. Africa represents one of the most important growth markets for sustainable water transport, where performance, cost efficiency and system reliability must come together. This partnership reflects our focus on delivering not just products, but fully integrated solutions that can be deployed, replicated and scaled.”
Both companies say the propulsion and energy systems could also be applied to other vessel types, including security boats and fishing vessels.
In November 2025, ExploMar raised more than US$10m in new financing, supporting the expansion of its global distribution and service network, development of its supply chain and ongoing product refinement.
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