Press release -
The Potomac River Could Turn Into a Green Highway With This Electric Flying Ship
The waterways of cities like Washington DC, Baltimore and New York could transform into green highways with the world's first electric foiling ship, potentially cutting travel times in half. The Swedish company behind this innovation will offer demo flights to the media from October 9 to 15.
In cities like Washington DC and New York, road congestion during rush hour is a familiar sight. However, the adjacent rivers and waterways remain mostly unused for passenger traffic. Candela, a Swedish tech company, is set to change this narrative with the world’s fastest electric ship and intends to showcase its potential in the US.
Equipped with computer-controlled foils beneath its hull, the Candela P-12 Shuttle skims across the water at speeds up to 30 knots. The world's first electric hydrofoiling ship uses 80% less energy compared to traditional vessels, and offers long range at high speed. It produces neither noise nor wake, and costs much less than conventional diesel vessels to run. Stockholm is set to incorporate the first P-12 ship into its public transport system by 2024. The P-12 Shuttle’s no-wake design makes it exempt from speed restrictions in the city center. As a result, travel time from the suburbs to downtown Stockholm will be reduced from 55 minutes by car to just 25 minutes by the electric ferry.
Candela believes similar success can be replicated in the US.
Gustav Hasselskog, the Founder and CEO of Candela, remarks, "Most cities grapple with traffic congestion during peak hours while their waterways remain largely unused. Remembering that many of these cities originated around water, our vision is to convert these rivers, lakes, and seas into new, sustainable highways."
Between October 9 and 15, Candela intends to showcase its pioneering hydrofoil technology in the US. The demonstration will commence in Annapolis, just outside Washington DC, aiming to prove how the technology could offer faster transit alternatives and new direct routes.
For instance, in Washington DC, the Potomac River provides an expedient route through the city. Using the P-12 Shuttle, a water commute from Georgetown to the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport would be a mere 6 minutes, given exemption from speed limits, outpacing both cars (up to 20 minutes) and public transport (37 minutes) during rush hour. Similarly, commuters from Alexandria heading to The Wharf can anticipate a serene 10-minute ride on the P-12 Shuttle.
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In New York, the Hudson River holds potential to become a green artery, providing a swift connection between outlying suburbs and the city core. With the P-12, passengers from Greenwich, Connecticut could commute to Wall Street in under an hour during rush hour, saving 30 minutes compared to conventional land-based transport and surpassing cars. Moreover, a direct P-12 ferry route could establish a brisk 20-minute link between Manhattan and Newark airport.
Candela’s C-8, which recently covered 420-nautical miles in 24 hours, setting a world record for electric range at sea, will serve as the tech demonstrator for media test rides in the US. As the ship "flies" atop the water, computer-balanced foils or "wings" adjust 100 times per second, guaranteeing a comfortable ride even over choppy waters. The Flight control system works to prevent seasickness, and Candela’s electric C-POD propulsion ensures a noiseless journey.
Gustav Hasselskog further adds, "Experiencing the thrill of silently gliding on water without generating waves is a game-changer. It becomes difficult to comprehend why waterways should have different speed restrictions compared to roads. Currently, we're engaging in discussions with numerous American operators."
The media is cordially invited to experience Candela's hydrofoil technology firsthand on the following dates and venue:
Annapolis, 9th-15th October.
For more details, please contact: Mikael Mahlberg
Email: mikael.mahlberg@candela.com
Phone: +46765376678
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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 2021 by the high-volume market Candela C-8, which will be 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 is launching its first commercial vessel, the Candela P-12 Shuttle ferry. It is poised to set multiple world records for being the fastest and longest-range electric ship ever built, with a top speed of 30 knots and a range of up to 60 nautical miles. It will also be the most energy-efficient fast ship ever made in its size class. Substantial operational cost savings are expected. The first unit is water launched during summer 2023.
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.