World’s First Electric Hydrofoil Ferry Line

The world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry, Candela P-12 “Nova,” has begun operating. It aims to eliminate emissions from Stockholm’s public transport while halving commute times.

“This is a paradigm shift for urban transport and a revival of our waterways,” says Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO of Candela.

At 07:15 on Tuesday, Stockholm’s new star, “Nova,” departed from its dock in the quiet suburb of Tappström, powered by its electric motors, and took off. Flying silently a meter above the water’s surface, it completed the 15 km route to Stockholm’s City Hall in just over 30 minutes.

The usual morning commute was almost cut in half for the delighted commuters on the world’s first electric foiling ship.

For Stockholm—and potentially the world—this may signal a future where city water transport is sustainable, affordable, and faster than travelling by car.

“Nova” is the first of Candela’s new P-12 model to enter service. Its computer-controlled hydrofoil wings lift the hull above water, reducing energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional vessels by cutting water friction.

“Conventional ships haven’t evolved much in 100 years and are among the least energy-efficient transport modes, only rivalled by a battle tank,” says Gustav Hasselskog.

The challenge with conventional fast vessels is that they consume enormous amounts of energy at high speeds, ploughing through the water. This makes electrification difficult, as their range is limited even with large batteries.

Stockholm’s approximately 70 public transport vessels use more fossil fuels than the city’s buses and trains, despite representing only a small share of total ridership. Water transport is costly and slow, as the vessels create large waves, limiting their speed in the city centre.

Yet, many commuters enjoy travelling by water. Region Stockholm aims to transition all vessels to renewable energy to reduce emissions and minimise disruptive wakes.

Candela P-12’s hydrofoil technology is key to addressing these challenges.

It creates a minimal wake since “Nova” flies above the water rather than pushing through it like conventional vessels. As a result, the ferry is allowed to travel at high speeds within the city limits, whereas other vessels are restricted by wake regulations. “Nova” runs on 100% renewable electricity and emits minimal noise even at high speeds, thanks to its electric C-POD motors with no mechanical transmission.

Thanks to its hydrofoil technology, “Nova” is not only the fastest electric ferry in operation in the world but also the fastest in Stockholm’s public transport fleet. It cruises at 25 knots, outpacing the diesel-powered V-class ferries that previously held the speed record.

Ekerö, Stockholm’s fastest-growing island suburb, lies just 15 km from the city centre. But commuting typically takes an hour by traditional ferries, limited by speed restrictions, or by bus/metro and car, subject to rush-hour congestion. By reducing travel times to a half hour, the new hydrofoil line brings Ekerö closer to the capital.

“In many cities, the shortest route is over water, which is humanity’s oldest infrastructure. Today, our waterways are underutilised due to the high costs, wake concerns and emissions of traditional vessels. If we can unlock this potential, we can make cities more attractive,” said Gustav Hasselskog.

With its energy efficiency, “Nova” requires no costly dock infrastructure, charging instead at a regular car fast charger at the City Hall. Its long range allows it to match the schedule of conventional diesel ferries, with recharging during the typical lunch break.

“Nova” will operate through fall 2024 until the waters freeze, resuming service in spring and continuing through August 2025. The route is a pilot project run by Candela, Trafikverket, and Region Stockholm (SL), aiming to explore how hydrofoil technology can enable faster, more affordable, and emissions-free maritime travel, creating new transit patterns in Stockholm.

But even before its official launch, Candela’s P-12 had already made waves in the maritime industry. In 2024, Candela received orders from Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Berlin, with additional clients to be announced.

“For the first time, there is a vessel that makes waterborne transport faster, greener, and more affordable than land transport. It’s a renaissance for the world’s waterways, and it’s exciting that Stockholm is leading the way,” said Gustav Hasselskog.