Caverton, ExploMar partner to drive electric water transport in Africa
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Pilot operations are already underway in Lagos, with Caverton confirming ongoing collaboration with regulatory agencies, including the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Waterways Authority, to integrate the new vessels into the existing transport system.
A Nigerian marine logistics firm, Caverton Marine, has entered into a strategic partnership with electric propulsion specialist ExploMar to promote sustainable water transportation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The agreement was formalised on Sunday March 29, 2026, at the Shanghai Boat Show, where both companies signed orders for 20 electric engines and battery systems, alongside plans to develop supporting onshore charging infrastructure.
Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Offshore Support Group and the visionary behind the OMIBUS programme, described the collaboration as a defining moment for regional transportation. He noted that the partnership centres on the co-development of a standardised, scalable electric ferry platform purpose-built to meet the operational realities of African and emerging-market waterways.
He emphasised the potential for cities such as Lagos to reduce road congestion by expanding the use of water transport, noting that traditional petrol- and diesel-powered ferries are increasingly expensive and less viable in densely populated urban areas.
“The future of Nigeria’s waterways is electric,” said 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. 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,” said Makanjuola.
At the centre of the initiative is the OMIBUS EV 2.0, a new electric ferry platform designed to improve efficiency and performance. The vessel is powered by two 300-horsepower electric engines, supported by four battery units with a combined capacity of 360kWh. The upgraded system is expected to lower operating costs while delivering zero-emission transport.
The partnership combines Caverton Marine’s experience in vessel design and regional operations with ExploMar’s expertise in electric propulsion systems. Both firms aim to develop a model that can be deployed initially in Lagos and replicated across other African markets.
ExploMar CEO Alex Dong said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding clean maritime transport beyond developed markets, adding that Africa represents a significant opportunity for growth in sustainable mobility.
Pilot operations are already underway in Lagos, with Caverton confirming ongoing collaboration with regulatory agencies, including the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Waterways Authority, to integrate the new vessels into the existing transport system.
Caverton Offshore Support Group is a Nigerian company providing marine and aviation logistics services across West Africa, while ExploMar specialises in electric marine propulsion and control technologies.
