52 n TRANSPORT July/August 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com World’s biggest fleet of ‘flying’ electric ferries heads for Norway’s fjords A Norwegian ferry operator Boreal has ordered 20 electric hydrofoil vessels from the Swedish developer Candela Technology, to create what will be the world’s largest fleet of electrically powered ferries. The fast and silent Candela P-12 hydrofoil vessels will speed up commuting along Norway’s fjord-lined coast, where water travel is an essential part of life. Norway already has the world’s most electrified car market, with around 99% of all new cars sold being fully electric. Electrifying high-speed ferries has, however, remained challenging, because electric ferries usually lack the range and speed needed to replace the diesel-powered fast ferries that link communities across Norway’s country’s deep fjords, and more than 100,000km of coastline. The hydrofoil craft, however, solve this problem. They combines a cruising speed of 25 knots (46km/h) with a range of around 40 nautical miles (74km), enabling electric operation on routes previously served only by diesel vessels. The fleet of 20 vessels will provide more frequent departures, and cut down travel times. “Candela P-12 is the only electric passenger vessel that combines longer range with high speed without requiring an extensive charging infrastructure,” says Boreal CEO, Nikolai Knudsmoen Utheim. “Our investment will enable new highspeed routes both in cities and in rural areas. Norway has already led the electrification of maritime transport. With this fleet, Boreal wants to take the next step – accelerating zero-emission high-speed travel along the Norwegian coast and helping to bring electric vessels to new markets beyond Norway.” The ferry’s performance is the result of computer-controlled hydrofoils – wings mounted beneath the hull – that lift it out of the water at speeds above 18 knots (33km/h). By flying above the waves, drag is reduced dramatically, and energy consumption falls by around 80% compared with conventional vessels of similar size. The hydrofoil ferries, already being used in Stockholm, have been hailed as a game-changer, combining low running costs with a low environmental impact. The ferries’ batteries can recharge fully in an hour using standard fast DC car chargers, avoiding the expensive megawatt-scale charging systems required by conventional electric ferries. The P12 recently completed its longest sea journey to date, between Tourists and commuters in Norway will soon be able to travel on electrically-powered hydrofoil ferries that “fly” quietly above the sea surface at speeds of around 46km/h. Their energy consumption is about 80% less than conventional vessels of similar size. The electric hydrofoiling ferries will start to ply Norway’s fjords next year
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