The world’s first electric hydrofoiling ferry, Candela P-12, has completed a record-breaking 160-nautical-mile voyage from Sweden’s west coast to Norway’s capital, Oslo.
The journey was completed over three days, with demonstration and charging stops along the route.
The Candela crew charged the P-12 along Sweden’s existing DC fast-charging network using Aqua superPower stations.
Where fixed chargers were unavailable, the team used a portable 360 kW Skagerak Energi Move DC charger connected to a mobile battery system.
“Charging infrastructure is the hidden cost of electrifying conventional vessels,” explained Gabriele De Mattia, project engineer at Candela and lead engineer for the voyage.
The breakthrough with P-12 is that it is fast to charge and extremely flexible in where it can operate.
Gabriele De Mattia
“In many cases, building megawatt-scale chargers—especially where the grid is weak or undeveloped—can cost as much as the vessels themselves.
“The breakthrough with P-12 is that it is fast to charge and extremely flexible in where it can operate.”
De Mattia pointed out that while electric ferries are gaining momentum globally, high energy consumption and limited range have so far restricted most electric vessels to short, predefined routes, even in Norway, where over hundred operate.
The P-12 is the world’s first serial-production electric hydrofoil ferry, able to travel at speeds exceeding 20 knots, with energy consumption reduced by around 80% compared to conventional vessels.
The Candela ferry has a range of up to 40 nautical miles at cruising speed on a single charge.
