“Flying” ferry to Norway
Candela secures an order for Norway’s—and the world’s—largest fleet of “flying” electric high-speed ferries from Boreal.
Boreal is taking a new step in green maritime transport. The company has ordered 20 electric hydrofoil vessels of the type Candela P-12, which will provide fast, emission-free travel along the Norwegian coast.
“With this investment, we are introducing a completely new generation of high-speed vessels that ‘fly’ above the water surface. The technology with computer-controlled hydrofoils reduces energy consumption by up to 80 percent compared to conventional vessels, and enables electric operation on routes where this was previously not possible,” says Nikolai Knudsmoen Utheim, CEO of Boreal.
Can electrify routes that have so far been too demanding
Norway has long been a global leader in electrifying the car fleet and battery-powered ferries on short routes. High-speed ferries—the fast passenger vessels that connect coastal communities over long distances—have, however, been a challenge.
The Candela P-12 is the first electric vessel that combines:
- A cruising speed of 25 knots
- A range of around 40 nautical miles
- Capacity for up to 25 passengers
This makes electric operation possible on routes that are currently run on diesel.
“The Candela P-12 makes it possible to electrify high-speed ferry routes that previously could not be solved with battery operation. The technology combines speed, range, and energy efficiency in a way that opens entirely new opportunities for both cities and rural areas,” says Alexander Sifvert, Head of Europe at Candela.
Norway has led the green transition at sea. With this initiative, Boreal is taking the next step: offering emission-free high-speed maritime transport along large parts of the coastline and helping the technology reach new markets.
Major environmental benefits—without the need for large power demands and battery packs
The hydrofoils’ ability to “lift” the vessel above the water dramatically reduces energy use. As a result, the vessels can be charged using standard fast chargers, similar to those used for electric cars, without the need for extensive infrastructure or megawatt chargers.
A full charge takes about one hour and can reduce operating costs by up to 90 percent compared to diesel.
The technology has already been demonstrated through the longest electric sea journey in history between Sweden and Norway, where the vessel charged along the way using a mobile battery solution.
Exceptional comfort
Passengers will notice clear improvements:
- Scandinavian-inspired interior
- Low noise level – 64 dB
- Smooth ride even in rough seas, controlled by sensors and digital control systems
- Wi-Fi and onboard amenities
The first two Candela P-12 vessels will be delivered to Boreal in 2027. The rest of the fleet will be rolled out through annual deliveries from 2028 to 2030.
The road ahead—together with Candela
Boreal is now entering the next phase of the initiative in close cooperation with Candela. Candela will deliver technology, vessels, regulatory coordination, and technical documentation, while Boreal will be responsible for operations, safety, staffing, and further development of routes and customer offerings. Together, the companies will identify relevant areas where Candela vessels can provide a better, faster, and emission-free mobility offering—both in cities and smaller coastal communities.
“Boreal is an ideal operator for our electric hydrofoil vessels. They combine operational expertise with the ambition needed to drive the green transition at sea. We are proud to take this step together,” says Alexander Sifvert, Head of Europe at Candela.
There has already been significant interest from several stakeholders who want to explore how the new vessels can be deployed in their areas. Boreal will continue dialogue with these stakeholders going forward, while also working with Candela to explore new opportunities to develop an even better, faster, and emission-free mobility offering.