Candela Electric Hydrofoil Ships to Serve NEOM Water Network

Candela P-12, the world’s first electric hydrofoil ship, will be part of the planned water network in NEOM, the large-scale, sustainable development project in northwest Saudi Arabia.

NEOM has secured an initial order of eight of these foiling, electric shuttle ships, marking the largest order in Candela’s history.

Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela, stated: “The P-12 is designed to create zero-emission water transport systems, offering 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, enabling more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers. All daily necessities and services will be just a short boat commute away.”

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The Candela P-12, launched last year, is set to debut in Stockholm’s public transport during autumn 2024. Flying above the waves on computer-guided underwater wings, known as hydrofoils, the P-12 uses 80% less energy than conventional ships, combining long range and high speed in an electric vessel for the first time. With a speed of 25 knots and more than two hours of endurance, it is the fastest and longest-range electric passenger ship to date.

The hydrofoils provide a new level of comfort, allowing passengers to glide smoothly over the Red Sea. The P-12’s digital flight control system adjusts the hydrofoils' angle of attack 100 times per second, keeping the ship stable even in challenging conditions.

Energy efficiency is crucial to reducing emissions, as the majority of a ship’s environmental impact stems from fuel usage. Candela’s vessels, using 80% less energy than conventional ships of similar size, have been shown to emit 97.5% less CO2 over their lifetime compared to diesel vessels, according to a life cycle analysis by KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

The P-12 seats between 20 and 30 people depending on its configuration. Its electric C-POD motors, located underwater, are exceptionally silent, creating minimal disturbance for marine wildlife. When flying, the P-12 generates only a negligible wake, allowing for quicker journeys in areas where conventional ships are speed-restricted due to their large wakes.

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