The new star “Nova” in Stockholm recently departed from its dock in the quiet suburb of Tappström, powered by its electric motors. Moving 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 nearly cut in half for commuters on the world’s first electric foiling ship. And for Stockholm, this could signal a time where city water transport is sustainable, affordable, and faster than traveling by car.
“Nova” is known as the first of Candela’s new P-12 models 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 fast vessels consume enormous amounts of energy at high speeds, plowing through the water. This makes electrification difficult, as their range is limited even with large batteries.
Stockholm’s 70 public transport vessels use more fossil fuels than the city’s buses and trains combined, despite representing just a small share of total ridership. And water transport is costly and slow, as the vessels create large wakes, limiting their speed in the city center.
Many commuters enjoy traveling by water. Region Stockholm aims to transition all vessels to renewable energy, reducing emissions and minimizing disruptive wakes. Candela P-12’s hydrofoil technology is key to addressing these challenges.
Since “Nova” flies above the water instead of pushing through it like conventional vessels, it creates minimal wake. And as a result, the ferry can travel at high speeds within the city limits, where wake regulations restrict other vessels. “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.
With 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, surpassing the diesel-powered V-class ferries that previously held the speed record.
Ekerö (Stockholm’s fastest-growing island suburb) is just 15 km from the city center. However, commuting typically takes an hour by traditional ferries, limited by speed restrictions, or by bus or car, subject to rush-hour congestion. The new hydrofoil line brings Ekerö closer to the capital by reducing travel times to a half hour.
With 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. This year, Candela received orders from Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Berlin, with additional clients to be revealed.
KEY QUOTES:
“Conventional ships haven’t evolved much in 100 years and are among the least energy-efficient transport modes, only rivaled by a battle tank.”
“In many cities, the shortest route is over water, which is humanity’s oldest infrastructure. Today, our waterways are underutilized due to the high costs, wake concerns, and emissions of traditional vessels. If we can unlock this potential, we can make cities more attractive.”
“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.”
– Gustav Hasselskog
