Getting from the airport to a private island resort in the Maldives could soon become smoother and more sustainable after plans were announced to deploy up to 100 electric hydrofoil boats across the archipelago.
US maritime technology company Navier and Dubai-based JIH Global Investment have confirmed a $100 million (€87 million) partnership to establish the Navier Network, a “software-driven sustainable maritime corridor” designed to connect airports, resorts, private villas, and local islands.
For travellers, the project promises to modernise one of the defining parts of a Maldivian holiday. Rather than relying on a fragmented network of speedboats and ferries, visitors will eventually be able to travel on a fleet of premium hydrofoil water taxis designed to deliver a faster, quieter and more comfortable journey.
The rollout will begin later this year with five Navier N30 vessels before expanding by up to 95 more boats over the following three years.
“The Maldives is one of the most important maritime transportation markets in the world,” said Sampriti Bhattacharyya, founder and CEO of Navier. “Nearly every guest, every worker, every resort, and every island depends on boats or seaplanes.
“That makes the Maldives the perfect place to prove that maritime transportation can be cleaner, quieter, standardised, software-driven, and dramatically better for the guest experience. We are not just deploying boats. We are building the first sustainable luxury transportation network on water.”
Mohamed Ali Janah, Chairman of JIH Global Investment, added: “The Maldives has always been at the frontier of luxury tourism, but as an island nation on the frontlines of climate change, we also have an opportunity to help define what the future of waterborne transportation looks like.
“With Navier, we see the potential to build not only a cleaner, more seamless network connecting airports, resorts, villas, and islands, but a scalable blueprint for sustainable maritime transportation, extending beyond the Maldives to island nations and coastal cities around the world.”
A significant impact on tourism
Unlike conventional speedboats, the vessels use hydrofoil technology, with underwater wings lifting the hull above the water as the boat gathers speed. This reduces drag, allowing the boats to glide over the surface with less noise, fewer vibrations and a smaller wake.
Passengers can expect air-conditioned cabins, lounge-style seating and onboard Starlink internet, while the boats offer an electric range of up to 75 nautical miles, extending to 150 nautical miles in hybrid mode.
The improvements could have a significant impact on tourism. The Maldives welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors in 2025, with almost every international traveller relying on boats or seaplanes to reach their accommodation.
Around 3,000 fuel-powered vessels currently operate across the island nation, making marine transport a major part of both the visitor experience and the country’s carbon footprint.
As well as creating a more seamless transfer experience, the new network is intended to help the Maldives move towards its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2030.
According to Navier, the hydrofoil vessels consume significantly less energy than conventional boats while producing lower emissions, less noise and fewer fuel fumes.