Cyprus is set to introduce its first solar electric passenger vessels by April 2027 after the marine and maritime institute signed a cooperation agreement with Indian shipbuilder Navalt on Thursday.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Larnaca by institute chief executive Zacharias Siokouros and Navalt chief executive Sandith Thandasherry.

The agreement establishes a partnership to promote electric propulsion and green shipping technologies in Cyprus, with plans to expand cooperation across the Mediterranean.

The first objective of the partnership is the launch of solar electric passenger vessels, intended as an important step towards reducing emissions from maritime transport.

Under the agreement, the vessels could be built entirely in India and then assembled in Cyprus or produced locally through the transfer of technical expertise.

The two organisations will also examine cooperation on the development of autonomous maritime vessels for defence applications, building on wider maritime and technology cooperation between Cyprus and India.

Navalt is regarded as one of India’s leading developers of electric and solar powered vessels.