Candela moves forward with P-12 Shuttle

Candela has raised US$20M for its innovative hydrofoil system for light boats.

The funding was led by EQT Ventures and investor duo Joel Eklund, Fosielund Holding AB and Svante Nilo Bengtsson, Marknadspotential AB, with participation from Ocean Zero and others.

The funds will be used to bring Candela’s 30-passenger ferry P-12 Shuttle to mass production at the company’s new Stockholm factory.

The P-12 uses computer-guided hydrofoils to glide the surface of water at a service speed of about 30 km per hour, which allows urban commuters rapid commute times compared with the diesel vessels it will replace.

The hydrofoils are at the heart of the vessel’s technology. Candela head of commercial vessels Erik Eklund tells PST: “Conventional vessels use huge amounts of energy travelling at high speeds due to water friction and the energy used displacing water. Using computer-guided hydrofoils, our P-12 vessel and leisure boats fly above the friction water, using 80% less energy than conventional ships and boats. This in turn unlocks long range at high speed, a first for electric vessels.”

He says once flying, the boat is stabilised by computers – the lifting point (hydrofoil) is below the centre of gravity, which requires a stabilising system to keep it flying.

Mr Eklund says, “That’s the same principle as other inherently unstable craft, like drones or jet fighters. We achieve stability by fitting numerous sensors around the hull that measure the ’terrain’ in front of the boat (the wave height) and other sensors like a gyro, accelerometers and GPS. All this data is fed into the Flight Controller – the boat’s computer – which automatically computes the correct angle of attack of the foil to stabilise the boat. The adjustments to the hydrofoil are made 100 times per second, and result in an artificially stable ride in waves and wind. Once you have this system, the boat won’t rock or slam – eliminating seasickness-inducing movement. You can’t throw up on a Candela, it’s a guarantee.”

P-12 has a record range of 60 nautical miles on one charge, which will allow operators to cut operational costs by an estimated 50% due to lower energy use and upkeep costs. 

Candela plans to launch P-12, which is being built in Stockholm, mid-year and announced it is in sales discussions with more than 180 interested parties about the P-12 Shuttle systems.

The first operator will be the Region of Stockholm, moving commuters between the suburb of Ekerö and central Stockholm.

Explaining its suitability to Stockholm, Mr Eklund says, “Stockholm is centred around the waterways, meaning the fastest commute is often over water – if you can go fast. Our P-12 Shuttle vessel doesn’t create wake as it doesn’t displace water, and so has an exemption from the urban speed limit of 12 knots. That means we can fly dock to dock from the suburb of Ekerö to central Stockholm in 25 minutes versus 55 minutes with car, bus or the current diesel ferry that also runs this line.”