Kerala SME does its bit for green tourism

TeamSustain, a Kochi-based player in the renewable energy space, designs a solar-powered boat

Sustainable tourism in Kerala is catching on, with a Kochi-based company testing the waters with an idea that sails on innovation. TeamSustain, a provider of engineering services and equipment in the renewable energy space, has designed a solar-powered boat. The idea is an ideal solution to the state’s needs. The boat causes no pollution and bypasses the issue of rising oil prices.

Speaking to Business Standard, George Mathew, vice-president, TeamSustain, said the idea of a solar-powered boat arose from the need to ensure green tourism. With Responsible Tourism initiatives doing the rounds, the TeamSustain solar boat project has the potential to succeed.

Mathew added: “We consider solar boats to be the one of the necessities for achieving the goals of sustainable tourism. Green tourism can be attainable and initiatives like ours can go a long in making it possible.” The boats are commercially viable, he says.

The first solar boat, christened Surya, has been rolled out from the TeamSustain stables at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. “Surya is the largest solar-powered boat in Asia and is among the largest in the world. The boat can seat around 25 people and comes with sophisticated safety featur,” Mathew adds.

“Pollution-free, silent running, safe, virtually-maintenance free and effortless to operate, Surya comes with reserve power for night-time running stored in its batteries and can run for 10 hours from its batteries alone,” Mathew elaborated.

“The fully operational commercial purpose solar boat comes with sophisticated safety features like depth sounder and bilging pumps. The passengers are offered life jackets approved by US Coast Guard which come in three sizes, including for children. The boat also has a Global Positioning System (GPS) installed,” Mathew added.

TeamSustain plans to roll out five more solar-powered boats this year, Mathew said.

With Responsible Tourism being the current buzz in Kerala, TeamSustain is planning to initiate a dialogue with the state government to collaborate with the Kerala Department of Tourism.