More passengers. Less fuel. More days at sea.

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The Maldivia 45 is a 55-seat fast ferry designed for island transfers in demanding seas. It carries more passengers than comparable boats, uses far less fuel, and stays in service when the weather turns. Fully loaded, it weighs 10 to 13 tonnes, against 21 tonnes or more for comparable ferries. Less weight means lower fuel bills, less wear and a lower cost for every seat you sell.

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Proven at sea

In October 2026, Hull No. 1 completed a week of sea trials in open-sea conditions, with waves from 0.5 to 2 metres. At half load and on just two 250 hp outboards, it held 28 knots in 0.5–1 metre waves over several runs, and 27 knots in 1–1.5 metre waves. With an optimised propeller, the same engines deliver 30.5–31 knots.

The hull sat exactly on its designed waterline, and fuel consumption came in slightly below prediction. In 1-metre waves the boat did not slam and the captain never had to reduce speed. For an operator, that means timetables you can keep and passengers who arrive relaxed, not seasick.

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More than 70% lower cost per seat

We compared the Maldivia 45 with a typical 48-foot ferry with four 250 hp outboards (C48), based on that boat's real operating data in the Maldives. Over a year of 2,000 operating hours at 30 knots, counting energy, service, spares, downtime and depreciation:

In the Maldives, that is a saving of more than €530,000 per boat and year compared with the C48. At 30 knots, the Maldivia 45 burns 44–74% less fuel per nautical mile, and its service costs are about half. Its epoxy composite hull also keeps about 20% of its value after ten years, twice the residual value we assume for the C48.

 

More days in service, easier to run

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Through rough water: The hull was designed for the monsoon seas of the Maldives. Where other boats slow down or stay in port, the Maldivia 45 keeps its timetable.
 

Into shallow harbours: With a draft of less than 0.9 metres, it reaches lagoons, reef passages and resort jetties that deeper boats cannot.
 

At any quay.:Four boarding points serve both high quays and low pontoons, so passengers get on and off quickly and safely.
 

Easy to handle: "Manoeuvring in the harbour is far easier than with similar boats in the Maldives," said one of our test captains. Our client rated the Maldivia 45 about 75% easier to handle than the 38-foot boat it runs today. For operators, that means shorter turnaround times, less crew stress and fewer docking incidents.
 

Simple to maintain: Two engines instead of four, protected drives on the inboard versions, and a durable epoxy composite hull. Less to service means fewer days on the slipway.

 

Passengers and luggage

The Maldivia 45 carries up to 55 passengers, each with 40 kg of luggage. The luggage goes into a patented central compartment low in the hull, between the stringers. The aisles and decks stay clear, loading is fast, and the weight sits where it makes the boat most stable.

Eight interior layouts let you match the boat to your route and your guests. They range from high-capacity Bus and Train layouts for public transport to business-class and VIP layouts for resort transfers and private charters. The same hull can also be fitted as a fire-fighting vessel.

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Choose your power

One hull, six drive options, so you can match the boat to your routes, your fuel supply and your service network.​

The inboard drives sit inside protective nozzles, shielding the propellers from reefs and floating debris. A foiling version is also available for operators whose guests value maximum comfort in short chop.

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Strength without weight

The Maldivia 45 is built from epoxy prepreg composites, the materials of offshore racing yachts. Its structure was developed with finite element analysis: two longitudinal stringers and six bulkheads spread the loads evenly across the hull. Every laminate is reduced to what it needs to carry, so the boat is strong where it counts and light everywhere else.

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Key specifications

 

Maldivia 45 Ferry

Length overall: 13.88 m (45 ft 6 in)

Draft: less than 0.9 m

Displacement, fully loaded: 10–13 t, depending on hull and drive

Passengers: up to 55, plus crew

Luggage: 40 kg per passenger, patented central compartment

Boarding points: 4, for high quays and low pontoons

Interior layouts: 8, from Bus style to VIP Private

Drives: Petrol outboards, diesel inboards, electric inboards

Top speed, full load: 27.5–38 kn, depending on drive

Measured in sea trials: 28 kn in 0.5–1 m waves, 27 kn in 1–1.5 m waves

Construction: Epoxy prepreg composite

Price: On request

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Speeds for drives other than the trial engines are calculated from the sea trials of October 2026. Cost comparison based on AEOMAR's cost model; C48 data from operation in the Maldives.

Calculate the Maldivia 45 for your route. Send us your route, passenger numbers and fuel prices, and we will show you what the Maldivia 45 would save your operation.

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