Candela P-12 Shuttle 30-passenger electric hydrofoil ferry

Overview

The fastest electric ship

The Candela P-12 Shuttle is a 30-seat electric hydrofoil ferry designed for 25-knot scheduled public-transport service.

Year

2024

Boat Type

Commercial

Propulsion

Electric Pod Drive

Location

Sweden

About the Candela P-12 Shuttle

The P-12 Shuttle is Candela's public-transport configuration of its 11.99-metre commercial hydrofoil platform. It seats 30 passengers plus one crew member and provides space for bicycles and wheelchair positions within a maximum 3,000 kg payload. Active submerged foils lift the hull at speed and are adjusted by the flight-control system, reducing resistance and wake compared with a conventional fast ferry. The current drivetrain uses two C-Pods, each rated at 110 kW continuous and 160 kW peak, fed by a 378 kWh nominal battery. Service speed is 25 knots, and the platform has exceeded 30 knots in trials. A flexible bow ramp is designed for dock heights from roughly 0.3 to 1.9 metres, and Candela says the transition between docking and foiling modes takes about two minutes. It is already represented in scheduled-service projects, so this is an operating transport platform rather than a concept rendering.

Best For

Urban commuter routes with frequent stops
Island and resort passenger services
Routes constrained by wake, shoreline erosion or local emissions

Performance in Context

Candela publishes up to 40 nautical miles at the 25-knot service speed. The estimate assumes a defined operating profile and will change with payload, wind, sea state and reserve policy. The vessel is designed for significant wave heights around one metre while foiling and two metres when operating conventionally. Off-foil running remains possible but consumes more energy.

Battery and Charging

The current pack is 378 kWh nominal and 336 kWh usable. The technical page lists charging up to 300 kW DC, while Candela's FAQ quotes about 45 minutes from 10 to 85 percent using 175 kW DC. Operators should size the shore connection around their timetable and clarify the delivered vessel's accepted charge rate rather than treating 300 kW as guaranteed at every state of charge.

Availability and Pricing

Candela supplies the Shuttle through commercial sales and does not publish a current standard price. The former €1.7 million figure and 252 kWh battery data have been removed because the platform has changed. Procurement should include route simulation, certification, charging infrastructure, crew training, commissioning and service arrangements in addition to the vessel itself.