The world’s fastest electric ship, Candela, will navigate the archipelago around Stockholm and make public transport by water more attractive. Learn more about Sweden’s flying electric ferry – world’s fastest.
Across the world, traffic congests metropolitan areas while at the same time waterways remain mostly unused for high-speed transportation. The main reason for this is pollution and the high cost of conventional vessels.
However, recently, Swedish marine technology company Candela was showing off the first images of its P-12 Shuttle flying electric ferry that is expected to begin production later this year. Its makers are claiming the vessel to be not only the fastest of its kind with a speed of 30 knots, but also the most energy-efficient electric ship ever. “The electric hydrofoiling Candela P-12 is unlocking the true potential of our waterways,” says the producer.
Related: World’s Largest Electric Ferry Now Operational In Norway
The technology has already been proven on the company’s existing leisure boats and is now headed for commercial maritime use.
The P-12 Shuttle is designed to be a highly attractive alternative to land based public transport such as cars or buses. Thanks to hydrofoils, it uses 80% less energy than conventional ships. The water-borne shuttle has three carbon-fiber wings that extend from under the hull, allowing the ship to lift itself above the water, thus decreasing drag and increasing speed and stability.
The efficient electric watercraft has reduced energy usage per passenger kilometer by 95% compared to current commercial ferries. “Flying” across the water, the shuttle will transport commuters between Ekerö – a rapidly-expanding neighbourhood in Stockholm’s suburbs – and the city center “faster than the subway and bus lines it competes with, as well as to car-travel during rush hour,” said the company in a statement.
Related: World’s Largest E-Ferry Operating in Denmark
Candela P-12 flies above the surface without generating harmful wakes. It’s the fastest electric ship to date with a service speed of 30 mph, which allows for more frequent departures and up to 60% faster commuting times in urban areas compared to the diesel vessels it’s designed to replace.
The P-12 Shuttle uses the equivalent of just 0.1 kWh of electricity per passenger kilometer. The vessel offers a range of 50 nautical miles at service speed from its 180 kWh battery and uses DC fast charging to recharge its battery in under one hour.
“There’s no other ship that 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,” Erik Eklund, Vice President of Commercial Vessels at Candela, said.
Related: Self-Driving Electric Ferries in Norway
The 12-meter (40 ft.) catamaran is designed to carry 30 passengers and will be water-born at the end of 2022 and enter Stockholm city’s fleet of public transportation ferries early 2023 as a pilot on one of its main routes. The pilot will run until the end of the year and evaluate the P-12’s performance, including issues like maneuverability, comfort, chargeability, wake and noise.
Sweden’s Flying Electric Ferry – World’s Fastest, written by Tor Kjolberg
All images © Candela