In a landmark deal, Candela will be deploying its foiling P-12 electric hydrofoil ships to service the planned water network in NEOM, the gigantic, sustainable development taking shape in Northwest Saudi Arabia.
NEOM has procured an initial batch of eight foiling electric shuttle ships. The P-12 electric hydrofoils being supplied are Candela’s fastest electric passenger vessel to date. Thanks to their computer-guided hydrofoil system, they boast long ranges, high cruise speeds and enhanced comfort and stability. The order is the largest announced in Candela’s history.
Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela, said, “The P-12 is designed to create zero-emission water transport systems which have significant improvements over traditional water commuting.”
“Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers. All daily necessities and services will be just a short boat commute away.”
The Candela P-12 was launched last year and will debut in Stockholm’s public transport in the fall of 2024.
Cruising above the waves on computer-guided underwater wings (hydrofoils), the P-12 is said to use 80% less energy than conventional ships. With a speed of 25 knots and more than 2 hours of endurance, the Candela P-12 holds the distinction of being the fastest and longest-range electric passenger ship to date.
The hydrofoils are extremely comfortable to travel in. Thanks to the P-12’s digital flight control system, passengers will fly smoothly over the Red Sea. The system balances the ship 100 times per second by adjusting the hydrofoils’ angle of attack, ensuring that the ship remains stable even in winds and waves.
Fuel usage rather than the manufacturing phase makes up the bulk of a ship’s environmental impact, so energy efficiency is crucial to curb emissions. As mentioned, Candela’s foiling vessels use 80% less energy than conventional ships of the same size. A life cycle analysis performed by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm concluded that a P-12 will emit 97.5% less CO2 during its lifetime compared to a conventional diesel vessel of the same size.
Another positive aspect of the electric Candela C-POD is its motors, which are located in pods underwater. Noise levels are extremely low and are specifically designed to cause minimal disturbance to marine wildlife. In addition, the P-12s also create a negligible wake, which shortens journey times compared to conventional ships, which are speed-restricted due to their larger wakes.
“We’re extremely proud to provide a vessel system designed with both passengers and the environment in mind. Short waiting times, quick connections, and a very enjoyable experience without taxing the environment with wakes, emissions, and noise will revolutionize how we travel on water,” added Gustav Hasselskog.
The first batch of eight vessels will be delivered in 2025 and early 2026.