Mumbai–Konkan high-speed Ro-Ro ferry service to begin on September 1: All you need to know

High-Speed Ro-Ro Ferry Service To Launch Between Mumbai And Konkan On September 1 (Image: X/ @NiteshNRane)

Travelling to Maharashtra’s scenic Konkan coast is about to become faster, smoother, and far more convenient. Starting September 1, 2025, the state government will roll out a high-speed roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Mumbai and Ratnagiri as well as Sindhudurg, drastically cutting down travel time and easing pressure on the overcrowded Mumbai-Goa highway and rail routes.

The announcement was made by Maharashtra’s Fisheries and Ports Development Minister, Nitesh Rane, who confirmed that all mandatory approvals—147 in total—have been cleared from key authorities, including the Union Ministry of Shipping, DG Shipping, the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), Mumbai Port Trust, and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Golden Moment in the History of Konkan

Nitesh Rane took to social media X and shared his excitement about the launch:

कोकणच्या इतिहासातील सुवर्णक्षण

राज्यात पायाभूत सुविधांच्या विकासात विद्यमान मुख्यमंत्री माननीय देवेंद्र फडणवीस साहेब यांचे योगदान मोलाचे आहे. समृद्धी महामार्ग, अटल सेतू, मेट्रो अशा एकाहून एक दर्जेदार पायाभूत सुविधा महाराष्ट्राला देणाऱ्या देवेंद्रजींच्या संकल्पनेतून कोकणसाठी एक… pic.twitter.com/PLtFNsMM0W

Related stories

• 
  From Pacific Islands to Polar Ice: 10 Remote Wonders Few Have Seen
• 
  Bali issues new safety guidelines: Tourists advised not to touch monkeys at popular attractions
• 
  India’s first-ever cheetah safari opens in Kuno National Park — Here’s all you need to know

— Nitesh Rane (@NiteshNRane) August 26, 2025

Rane also highlighted the historic role of his father, former Chief Minister and Union Minister Narayan Rane, in the development of Konkan, noting the importance of creating stronger transport links such as the Konkan Railway and Mumbai-Goa Highway.

The Vessel and Route

The new service will be operated by the M2M Ferries, a modern Ro-Ro vessel that has already transformed weekend travel between Mumbai and Alibaug. This time, the ferry will cover much longer distances, connecting Mumbai’s Bhaucha Dhakka (Princess Dock) to Jaigad in Ratnagiri and Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg.

What makes the launch noteworthy is its speed: the vessel will cruise at 25 knots (approximately 46 km/h), almost double the pace of the Mumbai–Alibaug Ro-Ro ferries. This makes it the fastest Ro-Ro ferry service in South Asia.

Travel Time at a Glance

Mumbai to Jaigad (Ratnagiri): 3 to 3.5 hours (down from 10–12 hours by road)
Mumbai to Vijaydurg (Sindhudurg): 5 to 5.5 hours (compared to 12+ hours by road)

Capacity and Ticket Prices

The ferry has been designed keeping family and festive travel in mind. It can carry 50 cars, 30 two-wheelers, minibuses, and hundreds of passengers, ensuring travellers enjoy last-mile connectivity with their own vehicles.

Fares are set as follows:

• Economy Class (passengers): Rs 2,500
• First Class (passengers): Rs 9,000
• Cars: Rs 6,000
• Two-wheelers: Rs 1,000
• Bicycles: rs 600

For decades, travelling from Mumbai to Konkan—especially during Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali—has been a logistical nightmare, with families spending over 12 hours on jam-packed highways. The new ferry is expected to be a game-changer, offering both time savings and comfort. The ability to carry personal vehicles on board means travellers won’t have to worry about local transport upon arrival.

Minister Rane called the project the realisation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ vision to connect Mumbai to coastal Maharashtra via waterways. He also highlighted that the service meets world-class safety standards, ensuring both reliability and passenger comfort.

Looking Ahead: Expansion Plans

The Konkan Ro-Ro service is only the beginning. Building on the popularity of the Mumbai–Alibaug Ro-Ro, which turned Alibaug into a quick weekend getaway, the state now plans to extend ferry connectivity further south. Upcoming stops could include Mandwa, Shrivardhan, and eventually Goa, opening up a scenic and stress-free coastal travel corridor for tourists and locals alike.

Timing and Weather Conditions

The vessel is ready for deployment and will begin services from September 1, subject to favourable weather conditions along the Konkan coast. With the monsoon receding, officials are confident the service will operate smoothly through the festive season.