Tourists and commuters along Norway’s stunning coastline will soon travel aboard “flying ferries,” quietly whizzing above the water to their destinations. Boreal AS will launch the world’s largest electric fleet next year. Water travel is an essential part of daily transportation along Norway’s fjord-lined coast, and the uniquely fast hydrofoils will speed up commute times. Electrifying passenger boats has been challenging because e-ferries have lacked the range and speed needed to replace diesel-powered vessels connecting towns across Norway’s 62,000 miles of coastline. The Candela P-12 solves this: it combines a cruising speed of 25 knots with a range of around 40 nautical miles, enabling electric operation on routes previously only served with diesel fuel. The P-12’s unique performance comes from computer-controlled hydrofoils — wings mounted beneath the hull — that lift the vessel above the water at speeds above 18 knots. By flying above the waves, drag is drastically reduced, and energy consumption drops by around 80% compared with conventional vessels of similar size. Furthermore, the efficient P-12 can fully recharge in an hour using standard DC car fast chargers, avoiding the expensive megawatt-scale charging systems required by conventional electric ferries. Passengers will also see a major upgrade in comfort. The vessel’s digital flight controller reads wave conditions using sensors and adjusts the hydrofoils in real time, ensuring a smooth ride even in rough seas.
