Drive And Sail: Mumbai-Goa RoPAX Ferry to Let You Travel With Your Car

Mumbai: Get ready for an exciting journey! M2M Ferries is planning to launch a new service from Mumbai to Goa, where you can bring your car along for the ride.

M2M Ferries has purchased a RoPAX vessel, which is designed to carry both people and vehicles. They are currently working to obtain the necessary approvals to operate between Mumbai-Goa.

The company already operates a daily Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) services between Mumbai-Mandwa, which serves as a gateway to the popular holiday destination of Alibag in Raigad district.

Mumbai To Goa in Six and Half Hours

The new RoPAX vessel is set to complete the Mumbai-Goa trip in about six and a half hours.

According to M2M Ferries official, the company has acquired a 15-year-old, second-hand vessel from Italy, which is currently undergoing maintenance in Mumbai and is set to be ready by March end.

“We have applied for permissions with the Director General of Shipping and other agencies.” the official added.

Mumbai-Goa RoPAX Service: Ferrying Between Ferry Wharf and Mormugao Port

M2M Ferries official said that the company plans to run Mumbai-Goa RoPAX service from Ferry Wharf in Mazgaon in Mumbai, to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in Goa. 

The official mentioned that talks are underway with the Government of Goa to allow the vessel to dock at a jetty in Panaji, as MPA is located near Vasco, which is some distance from Panaji and Margao.

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The company's RoPAX vessel has the capacity to carry 620 passengers and 60 cars. 

The official mentioned that the fare structure is still to be determined.

Devika Saigal from M2M Ferries said that the central government may offer fuel VAT subsidies and tax concessions to help support the new service.

M2M Ferries Application Under Process

As per a report, Shyam Jagannathan, the Director General of Shipping, confirmed that M2M Ferries' application is under processing.

Pradeep Sudhakar, chief surveyor at the Director General of Shipping's office, said that the submitted documents have been approved and are now with the Indian Register of Shipping.

This proposed service isn't the first of its kind in India. A similar ferry operates between Hazira and Ghogha in Gujarat, and M2M Ferries also runs several short routes between Ferry Wharf and Mandwa.

Currently, Cordelia Cruises operates a luxury cruise liner on the Mumbai-Goa route, while the Angriya cruise liner halted operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the past, Damania Shipping provided hovercraft services between Ferry Wharf and Panaji.