ONE HULL.
EVERY DRIVE SYSTEM.
The Maldivia 45 is a precision-engineered ferry vessel designed to excel across every drive system — giving operators the freedom to choose the propulsion solution that fits their needs, now and in the future.
Thanks to its exceptionally low weight and extensive optimization — spanning hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and structural engineering by some of the world's leading engineering offices — the Maldivia 45 achieves outstanding results regardless of how it's powered.
Electric Drive
The boat's low hydrodynamic resistance makes it an ideal candidate for electric propulsion. In typical ferry operations, the vessel can be fully recharged during stopovers, enabling emission-free, cost-efficient service without compromising schedules.
Explomar Wave 300 — Full electric drive system
The Maldivia 45 Electric is powered by two Explomar Wave 300 outboard motors, each delivering 225 hp continuously and capable of 300 hp peak output for rapid acceleration — all within a remarkably compact package of 220 kg per unit.
Energy is stored across six 90 kWh battery modules, giving the system a total installed capacity of 540 kWh. The complete electric drivetrain — motors, batteries, and associated systems — comes in at 3.5 tonnes total, a figure that underlines just how seriously weight has been engineered out of every component.
At cruising speed of 30 knots, the system delivers a two-hour operational range with an energy draw of 360 kWh — making it ideally suited to the short, high-frequency transfer routes where electric propulsion is most economically compelling, and where the fuel savings against conventional petrol or diesel alternatives are most immediately felt.
Petrol Outboard
The outboard configuration of the Maldivia 45 is built around a single operating philosophy: maximum simplicity, maximum availability. If a unit requires attention, it is swapped out in hours — no specialist yard, no complex diagnostics, no extended downtime pulling passengers off your schedule.
Our October 2026 sea trials ran on two Yamaha F250 outboards. With the original 19" propellers, the engines reached only 4,800 rpm, below Yamaha’s full-throttle range of 5,000–6,000 rpm, and the boat made 27 knots. With 17" propellers they reached 5,200 rpm and 30 knots. With the optimised propeller, the same engines deliver 30.5–31 knots at half load.
The 2 Yamaha F250 providing already a stunning performance.
From these results, we choose the propeller pitch for each engine so that full-throttle rpm stays inside the manufacturer’s range at every load. A fully loaded boat should never make the engines labour, and an empty boat should never hit the rev limiter. This protects the engines, keeps fuel consumption low and gives the captain full power when it’s needed.
Our recommendation:
2 × Yamaha F300 (or Honda) with 15" four-blade propellers. The boat reaches about 33.5 knots at half load and 30 knots fully loaded, which leaves a reserve for monsoon swell. At cruising speed the F300 burns about the same fuel per mile as the F250, because it turns more slowly and is less stressed.
2 × Yamaha F250 with 14" propellers is the lowest-cost choice and is proven in our trials. Choose a 15" propeller if the boat often runs empty.
2 × Yamaha F350 with 16" four-blade propellers adds about 2 knots, for premium VIP transfers or operators who regularly run fully loaded into swell.
2 × Mercury Verado 600 V12 with dual contra-rotating propellers is the choice for high-speed shuttles, the Center Console and the Superyacht Shuttle, with a top speed of about 44 knots at half load. The two-speed transmission and contra-rotating propellers give strong acceleration and precise handling in harbour.
Diesel Inboard
For operators prioritizing proven reliability and minimal running costs, the diesel configuration delivers unbeatable economics — with potential cost savings of up to 70%. Extended service intervals keep the boat in operation longer, and if an engine ever needs replacing, large service hatches make removal straightforward and fast.
Diemmax 6-Series & V12
The Maldivia 45 is engineered to accommodate the Diemmax 6-Series diesel engines — a powertrain that sets a new benchmark in marine weight-to-power ratio without compromising on reliability. With a rated service life of approximately 10,000 hours and extended overhaul intervals that go well beyond conventional marine engines, the Diemmax 6-Series is designed for operators who demand both performance and low total cost of ownership.
The Diemmax V12 takes this further still. Currently undergoing final development revision, the V12 fits directly into the Maldivia 45 hull and delivers a level of acceleration and top-end performance that redefines what a passenger ferry is capable of.
The inboard engines can be replaced after removing the chairs and/or tables above the engine service hatch.
FUTURE READY
Hydrogen & LBG Variants
Hydrogen and LNG variants are currently in development, and the vessel's low weight makes it fully compatible with foil system upgrades — positioning the Maldivian 45 as a long-term investment that evolves with the industry.
Foiling
At Maldivia Shipyard, we believe in foiling technology — and we understand its limits better than most. Our background in competitive sail racing has taught us one fundamental truth: weight savings outperform technology investments almost every time.
That's why the Maldivia 45 starts with a 30–40% weight advantage over comparable vessels. This is the foundation of our efficiency story — and foil technology, where appropriate, builds on top of it.
The Honest Picture About Foiling
The Smartest Path to Efficiency Isn't Always the Most Obvious One. Hydrofoil systems can deliver real gains — fuel savings and improved comfort in waves up to one meter, across a speed range of 15 to 40 knots. But they come with real-world trade-offs that operators need to understand:
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Complex, frequent and costly maintenance
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Increased vulnerability to floating debris, logs and submerged objects
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Reduced performance in rough seas and challenging docking conditions
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A strictly limited sea state envelope
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And one non-negotiable requirement: the foils must be 100% clean to function efficiently
For many operations, these trade-offs are manageable. For others, they are a serious operational burden.
Two Foil Options — Tailored to Your Operation
For operators where foils make sense, the Maldivian 45 accommodates both configurations:
Retractable Foils offer reduced drag at low speeds and are better suited to shallow water routes. The trade-off is additional weight, higher investment, and increased maintenance demands.
Fixed Foils deliver higher fuel savings with lower weight, lower cost and minimal maintenance. The trade-off is additional drag at low speeds and greater depth requirements depending on the sea conditions the vessel must handle.
Our Recommendation
Start with the weight advantage. Add foils where the route, sea state and operational model justify them. The Maldivia 45 is designed to support both paths — giving operators the flexibility to make the right call for their network, not ours.