Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin attended the Oct 21 handover of the Boat Licence and River Transport Permit at Pangkalan Sapi. The solar-supplemented vessel will also support visits to the floating solar farm, according to the announcement reported by DayakDaily.

The 10-metre fibreglass boat has twin 40 kW electric outboard motors, a 92 kWh battery and 3.6 kWp of rooftop solar panels. Its reported operating estimates are 40–50 kilometres of range and roughly three to four hours of use, with a maximum speed of 25 km/h. Registered passenger capacity is 12. These are vessel specifications and estimates, not a published passenger-service timetable.

Lee said range, charging facilities, river conditions, safety and cost-effectiveness would need evaluation before wider adoption. Batang Ai will provide experience with operational reliability, charging and maintenance. The immediate development is a licensed boat for reservoir duties; other electric-vessel applications across Sarawak remain under study.