Press release -
Candela's Electric Flying Ferries to Serve Thailand’s Koh Kood Island
Bangkok / Stockholm, October 2, 2025 – At a ceremony in Bangkok, Swedish electric boat maker Candela and Thai operator Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd. entered an agreement for 10 Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries to initially operate on the route between the mainland and Koh Kood in Trat province.
Koh Kood, often described as Thailand’s most pristine island paradise, has been intentionally kept less developed than tourist hotspots such as Phuket or Koh Samui. Yet access to this unique destination has relied on conventional gasoline-powered speedboats – vessels that generate noise, large damaging wakes, and heavy emissions, threatening marine life, shorelines, and the quiet character of the island.
In a landmark agreement signed during the SX Sustainability Expo – South-East Asia’s largest of its kind – Candela and Seudamgo confirmed the latter will take delivery of 10 Candela P-12 hydrofoil ferries for operations in Thailand. The ceremony was witnessed by the Governor of Trat, representatives from the Ministry of Transport, and the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok.
Candela’s P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels offer a radically different approach than traditional fast ferries and speedboats. Flying above the water on underwater wings, they use up to 80% less energy than traditional boats, produce zero emissions, and leave virtually no wake or noise. With the ability to charge directly from solar power, they enable truly clean and sustainable island transport.
With a fleet of P-12’s in operation, Seudamgo will be able to provide frequent daily departures while dramatically improving the passenger experience: a seasickness-free, whisper-quiet ride in a comfortable cabin, as the P-12 benefits from its digital Flight control system, a computer which automatically adjust the hydrofoils angle of attack in real time to counteract the slamming or pitching found in other vessels.
The interior of the Candela P-12 Business accommodates 20 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin. Its digital flight control system minimizes slamming, ensuring a smooth, sea-sickness-free ride.
“Candela’s P-12 foil electric technology is a game-changer. It represents a truly sustainable vessel – free from emissions, oil spills, and underwater noise. At the same time, it offers passengers a superior experience – you can’t really get seasick on board a Candela. We are proud to be the first to bring this unique technology to Thailand and South-East Asia,” says Surachai Suwanthanakul, CEO of Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd.
The 10 vessels will be the upscale Business version of P-12, featuring premium seating and a spacious, airy interior for 20 passengers, along with ample luggage capacity. Cruising at 25+ knots, the vessels will cover the 20-nautical mile route in just 40 minutes.
Most importantly, the new fleet will help preserve the region’s pristine environment, ensuring that tourism growth can continue without sacrificing the island’s unique natural beauty.
Landmark deal: Candela's Regional CEO Mr Björn Antonsson (left) shaking hands with Mr Surachai Suwanthanakul, CEO of Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd, flanked by the Governor of Trat, Mr Nattapong Sanguanjitra, and Deputy and Permanent Secretary Punya Chupanit, Ministry of Transport, Thailand, together with (from left) Tomas Juhlin, VP of Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and Mr Per Linnér, Charge d’Affairs Swedish Embassy, Bangkok.
“This agreement demonstrates how Thailand can leapfrog directly to sustainable waterborne transport,” said Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO of Candela. “By replacing noisy, polluting speedboats with our electric flying ships, Seudamgo is protecting one of Thailand’s most beautiful destinations.”
Thailand is home to Candela’s largest office outside Sweden, located in Bangkok, and is a key market for the Swedish electromobility company thanks to its vast waterborne transport sector and more than 1,500 islands – many of which rank among the world’s top tourist destinations.
“Thailand is one of the most exciting markets for sustainable water transport,” says Björn Antonsson, Candela’s Regional CEO Asia-Pacific. “With its thousands of islands, big rivers and vibrant tourism industry, the country can truly benefit from our technology. Partnering with Seudamgo to introduce the P-12 fleet is a fantastic beginning – we see enormous potential to expand clean, efficient hydrofoil transport across Thailand and the wider region.”
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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.
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.
