The world’s fastest electric ship will set sail in Stockholm next year, cutting commuting times between some archipelagos in half.
The Candela P-12 is a 30-passenger “flying ferry” that will reach speeds of 30 knots. Even better, the ship is said to be the most energy-efficient yet.
Candela has enjoyed significant investment and support from the Swedish government, with the firm partnering with Stockholm for a nine-month passenger trial in 2023.
How can you make a boat fly?
The vessel will use three carbon fibre wings, known as hydrofoils, which allow it to lift out of the water when travelling at speeds above 18 knots.
Once airborne, the P-12 will be able to reach high speeds and travel long distances due to the significant reduction in drag that comes with flying above the water.
Candela’s technology reduces energy per passenger kilometre by 95 per cent compared to current vessels. The firm claims the ship will be even more energy-efficient than a hybrid bus, and will be able to recharge its batteries within an hour.
Candela partnered with the Swedish National Traffic Agency, which has funded half of the boat, with the company funding the other half.
Slashing commuter times and environmental impacts
Stockholm is the ideal launchpad for the P-12 due to its many archipelagos and waterways. The City of Stockholm and Candela plan to deploy the vessel to connect the rapidly expanding suburb of Ekerö and the city centre.
Ekerö residents currently have to undertake a 55-minute trip by bus, subway, or conventional ferry. The Candela P-12 Shuttle will cover the 15km route in 25 minutes – saving commuters 50 minutes a day.
The P-12’s flying ability and subsequent lack of wake have allowed it to gain an exemption from Stockholm’s 12-knot river speed limit.
The near-zero wake will also prevent wave damage to sensitive shorelines, nature, and other vessels, with the P-12 generating less wake when at full throttle than a conventional passenger ship travelling at slow speeds.
As an added benefit, sea sickness shouldn’t be a problem for any P-12 passengers.
Thanks to the boat’s computerised flight controller, its hydrofoils will be adjusted up to 100 times per second to keep the ferry flying level.
“No other ship has this kind of active electronic stabilisation. Flying aboard the P-12 Shuttle in rough seas will feel more like being on a modern express train than on a boat: it’s quiet, smooth and stable”, says Erik Eklund, Vice President of Commercial Vessels at Candela.
Maritime traffic is already Stockholm’s most popular public transport, but it is served by a fleet of more than 70 comparatively inefficient diesel-powered boats.
Gustav Hemming, vice president of the Regional Executive Board in Stockholm who is responsible for sea-bound public transport, calls the P-12 a game changer when compared to existing options.
He says, “we need new technology that is better for commuter ferries. Because today, they are very attractive, but they are not very evolved.”
“They have some environmental impacts locally,” he adds. “They are not very energy efficient, they have a negative impact on the climate.”
Source: marineinsight
