Based in Collonges (canton of Valais), technology company MobyFly has set out to develop hydrogen or electric transport boats. The latter are equipped with foils to be able to navigate out of the water in order to gain in performance.
According to the start-up, its boats would be able to carry passengers comfortably and quickly, at more than 70 km/h, while using 70% less energy than a combustion engine boat.
The Valais-based start-up recently announced the signing of a contract for the construction of nine boats with Portuguese operator Nosso Tejo, an order worth several dozen million Swiss francs.
The first ship should be delivered in 2023, while other agreements are under discussion in France, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.
The canton of Valais, a very favorable ecosystem for sustainable transport
The decision to establish MobyFly in the canton of Valais is no coincidence. According to Sue Putallaz, co-founder of the company: “We chose Valais because it has the resources for innovation. There is a real ecosystem around sustainable mobility in the canton that is very favorable for a start-up active in sustainable transport like us.”
MobyFly is making the risky bet of using lakes, rivers and seas for public transport and to relieve congestion in cities, but the start-up has already convinced numerous investors. The company already benefits from European Community innovation funds and is currently organizing its second round of financing.
