The World’s First Electric Hydrofoil Ferry
Find out how Candela technology is changing public-transport-on-water in Norway.
December 13, 2025
Norway Leads the Way In Sustainable Public Transport On Water
In Norway, Trondheim’s fjords will soon be navigated by the world’s fastest electric passenger vessel, the Candela P-12, saving commuters hours and bringing flying ships back to the city’s waterways.
Commencing on 17 December and rolling into January, the Candela P-12, the world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry, will operate between Frosta Brygge and Trondheim as part of the Frostabåten project, a collaboration between real estate developers, Trondheim’s technical university NTNU, and the regional and municipal authorities.
Candela’s Fossil Fuel-Free Lakes and Oceans Mission
For those of you who do not know, Candela is a technology company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, composed of engineers, technicians, and a full production team. From developing the tech stack, C-POD motor to the control system and carbon fiber hulls, in-house, Candela used two houses in Stockholm, Sweden to carry out its development and building operations and produce the Candela C-8 and P-12 vessels.
Candela's watercraft have hydrofoils that elevate the hull above the water, reducing friction and 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 reducing operational costs by up to 50%.
Above: The Candela P-12 helping commuters to enjoy a more pleasurable and efficient commute among Trondheim’s fjords.
The Fastest And Longest-Range Electric Vessel Worldwide
Fjords carve deep inlets into the landscape, making the shortest route directly across the water, but the high operating costs of ferries often prevent residents from using public transport on water, and are often limited to land-based transport only.
Today, residents of Frosta, a seaside community development with sweeping fjord views, must travel by car or bus into central Trondheim, a journey of roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. With the P-12 crossing the fjord, the trip takes just 30 minutes, saving commuters around two hours per day.
Zero Emissions & Cost-Efficient Water Travel
The P-12 benefits go beyond its zero-emission propulsion, which eliminates operational pollutants like CO2 and enables silent travel. It is also far more cost-efficient to operate than traditional vessels. Its advantage lies in its efficient C-POD drivetrain and computer-controlled hydrofoils, which lift the boat above the surface, reducing energy consumption by 80% compared with conventional hulls. Electricity is also inexpensive in Trondheim, where hydropower is the most popular energy source. The outcome is a vessel with operating costs comparable to those of land-based transport, such as buses.
Electrifying high-speed routes has proven a significant obstacle in the past, with conventional hull-electric fast ferries consuming too much energy and therefore requiring expensive megawatt-level charging systems. There was also an issue with the limited range. The P-12, by contrast, charges from an inexpensive and mobile car-style DC charger. This in turn, addresses the bottleneck that has slowed Norway’s ambitious electrification of its diesel ferry fleet.
Expansion Of Water-Based Routes In Norway
Testing will continue in the new year to evaluate whether the technology and operations carry the potential to service more routes. The P-12 ferry project is a partnership built between Frosta Brygge, Trondheim Port, the Ocean Autonomy Cluster, the NTNU Shore Control Lab, and other representatives.
Candela Technology A World Leader in Hydrofoiling Electric Vessels
The world's first electric hydrofoil leisure boat, launched in 2019, the Candela C-7 open, also known as the "roadster of the seas". In 2023, Candela C-8 was delivered to private B2B and B2C owners. Over 150 C-8 units have been sold to date, and both models have been lauded for their superior seakeeping, long range, and high speed. Also in 2023, Candela launched its first commercial vessel, the Candela P-12 Shuttle ferry. It is the fastest and longest-range electric ship ever built, with a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 40 nautical miles at 25 knots. It is also the most energy-efficient fast ship ever made in its size class. Substantial operational cost savings are expected. The first unit enters service in Stockholm's public transport system in 2024.
Engineer and business leader Gustav Hasselskog founded it in 2014. His 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.
Above: Candela P-12 flying over Trondheim’s fjords is now a blueprint for the future of commuting.
Dynamic Engineering: Over-the-Air Updates
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 measure wave height, wind speed, and other factors. Even in rough weather, passengers experience 90% less G-force than on a traditional boat. All Candela vessels are fully connected and receive over-the-air updates.
Brows for Candela new and used boats for sale
Read about New Electric Boat Launched By Rand Boats.
