Press release -
Candela P-12 completes world’s longest electric sea journey
Demonstrating that electric passenger vessels are no longer confined to short, fixed routes—or dependent on costly, purpose-built charging infrastructure—the world’s first electric hydrofoiling ferry, Candela P-12, has completed a record-breaking voyage from Sweden’s west coast to Norway’s capital, Oslo.
Electric ferries are gaining momentum globally. However, high energy consumption and limited range have so far restricted most electric vessels to short, predefined routes, even in Norway, where over hundred operate.
To demonstrate how hydrofoil technology overcomes these limitations, Candela P-12 set out on a 160-nautical-mile journey - the longest ever by an electric passenger ship - from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Oslo, Norway. The P-12 is the world’s first serial-production electric hydrofoil ferry. Beneath its hull, computer-controlled submerged wings lift the vessel above the water at speeds exceeding 20 knots, reducing energy consumption by around 80 percent compared to conventional vessels and enabling long-distance travel at high speed.
Already proven in Stockholm’s public transport system, Candela P-12 holds the record as the fastest electric passenger vessel in operation, with a service speed of 25 knots, and has exceeded 30 knots during trials, with a range of up to 40 nautical miles at cruising speed on a single charge.
The mission was to reach Oslo, where several electric high-speed ferries are already in service. The contrast between these conventional electric vessels and Candela P-12 is striking. Oslo’s fastest electric passenger ferry, m/s Baronen, operates a fixed 10-nautical-mile route and relies on swapping a deck-mounted battery container with several megawatt-hours of capacity at the end of each trip. The automated battery-swapping system alone has cost hundreds of millions of Norwegian kroner. While several swap stations have been completed, the system has faced delays and cost overruns, and deployment of additional stations has been delayed—limiting route flexibility.
By contrast, Candela P-12’s efficiency allows it to charge from standard, easily deployable automotive DC fast chargers. During the journey to Oslo, the vessel charged using a portable 360 kW Skagerak Energi Move DC charger connected to a mobile battery system, towed behind a Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup.
“Charging infrastructure is the hidden cost of electrifying conventional vessels,” said Gabriele De Mattia, project engineer at Candela and lead engineer for the record-setting voyage. “In many cases, building megawatt-scale chargers—especially where the grid is weak or undeveloped—can cost as much as the vessels themselves. The breakthrough with P-12 is that it is fast to charge and extremely flexible in where it can operate.”
The 160-nautical-mile journey was completed over three days, with demonstration and charging stops along the route. The Candela crew charged along Sweden’s existing DC fast-charging network using Aqua SuperPower stations, and where fixed chargers were unavailable, relied on the towable battery system provided by Skagerak Energi.
Upon arrival in Oslo, the P-12 and its crew were welcomed by officials and media. Norway’s ambition to electrify its waterways has faced growing resistance as costs for both vessels and infrastructure have escalated, with battery-swapping systems alone accumulating expenses in the hundreds of millions. With Candela P-12, observers were presented with a clear comparison: the total electricity cost for the world’s longest electric sea journey amounted to just over €200.
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Stockholm-based Candela Technology AB is the world leader in hydrofoiling electric vessels. The company was founded in 2014 by engineer and business leader Gustav Hasselskog with the mission to accelerate the world's transition to fossil fuel-free lakes and oceans by developing electric vessels that outperform those powered by fossil fuels.
Candela's watercraft have wings (hydrofoils) that lift the hull above the water and reduce friction, using 80% less energy than conventional ships at high speed. This technology allows for long-range water travel solely on battery power, a first in the industry. Candela's hydrofoils also enable operators to transition to sustainable fleets by providing up to 50% lower operational costs.
At the heart of Candela's hydrofoil tech stack is the Flight controller, which automatically stabilizes the vessel during flight by regulating the foils, using sensors that gauge wave height and wind speed, among other factors. Even in rough weather, passengers experience 90% less g-forces than they would on a traditional boat. All Candela vessels are fully connected and receive over-the-air updates.
After five years of research and development, Candela began producing the world's first electric hydrofoil leisure boat in 2019, the Candela C-7 open "roadster of the seas". This was followed in 2022 by the high-volume market Candela C-8, which was delivered to the first customers in spring 2023. Over 150 C-8 units have been sold to date, and the vessel has been lauded as a "game changer" by Motorboat and Yachting magazine, winning numerous awards including the 2022 European Powerboat of the Year award for its superior seakeeping, long range, and high speed.
In 2023, Candela launched its first commercial vessel, the Candela P-12 Shuttle ferry. It is the fastest and longest-range electric ship ever built, with a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 40 nautical miles at 25 knots. It is also the most energy-efficient fast ship ever made in its size class. Substantial operational cost savings are expected. The first unit enters service in Stockholm's public transport system in 2024. 30+ units have been sold to Saudi Arabia, Maldives, India, USA and other markets.
Candela is a technology company with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, employing over 200 engineers, technicians, and production staff. The company develops the entire tech stack, from the C-POD motor to the control system and carbon fiber hulls, in-house. Candela's two wholly-owned factories in Stockholm, Sweden, produce the Candela C-8 and P-12 vessels. The company also has leisure boat resellers in 12 countries and wholly-owned sales offices in San Francisco, USA, and Cannes, France.
