A shift in how electric ferries could operate in the future was recently demonstrated, after the completion of the world’s longest electric sea journey by a passenger vessel.
InterestingEngineering.com reports that Sweden-based shipbuilder Candela says its electric hydrofoiling ferry, the P-12, successfully traveled 160 nautical miles from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Oslo in Norway, in November 2025, proving that electric vessels are no longer limited to short, fixed routes or specialized charging infrastructure.
Already, in Norway, more than 100 electric ferries are in operation. But most remain constrained by high energy consumption and short ranges, forcing operators to rely on fixed routes and costly battery-swapping systems.
Candela set out to challenge that model by demonstrating how hydrofoil technology could dramatically reduce energy use.
The P-12 is the world’s first serial-production electric hydrofoil ferry, designed to lift its hull above the water using computer-controlled submerged wings. Once airborne, drag drops sharply, cutting energy consumption by about 80% compared with conventional vessels.
Candela’s rivals include Artemis Technologies in Northern Ireland, MobyFly in Switzerland, Navier in the U.S., SeaBubbles in France and Vessev in New Zealand.
The 160-nautical-mile journey from Sweden’s west coast to Norway’s capital is the longest ever completed by an electric passenger ship.
Unlike traditional electric ferries that depend on large battery containers swapped at fixed terminals, the P-12 can recharge using standard DC fast chargers. During the three-day voyage, the ferry used Sweden’s existing DC fast-charging network, including Aqua SuperPower stations.
The Economist says that waterborne transit on what are termed “blue highways” is an obvious solution to the problem that nearly half of the world’s population lives in coastal regions, where streets are often gridlocked. Hydrofoils are attractive for passenger services, but also for goods, in such cities, as well as island and archipelago regions. Indeed, many cities made greater use of waterborne transport in the past, before the introduction of cars.
