Candela to deliver 8 electric foiling ferries to Saudi NEOM project – largest order ever

In a landmark deal, Swedish boatmaker Candela has received an order from Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project for eight P-12 electric foiling ferries. The fleet – which is the largest announced order in Candela’s history – will service the planned water network in the gigantic, sustainable development taking shape in the kingdom.

NEOM is a new vision of urban life being constructed at the northern tip of the Red Sea, due east of Egypt across the Gulf of Aqaba and south of Jordan. The total planned area is composed of a variety of regions that will eventually cover 26,500 km2 (10,200 sq mi) and encompass a global trade hub, tourist resorts, a linear city powered by renewable energy sources and a floating industrial complex.

To traverse the water network, the Candela P-12 uses the company’s proprietary computer-guided system to fly above the waves on hydrofoil wings that adjust up to 100 of times each second, all but eliminating friction between the boat hull and water. Result: the P-12 uses 80% less energy than conventional ships, allowing it to combine a speed of 25 knots with more than 2 hours of endurance.

Uses 80% less energy

“The P-12 is designed to create zero-emission water transport systems which have significant improvements over traditional water commuting” says Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela. “Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the smaller, faster P-12 allows much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers.

The P-12 hydrofoiling technology also unlocks a new level of passenger comfort as the flight controller continuously balances the ship by adjusting the foils’ angle of attack, keeping the craft stable even in winds and waves. The electric foiling ferries seat between 20 and 30 people, depending on configuration.

The first operator using the Candela P-12 is the Region of Stockholm, with a service launching this fall that will carry commuters between the suburb of Ekerö and central Stockholm.

Another noteworthy client is New Zealand’s Meridian Energy, which signed a deal to have the P-12 provide daily transport for the staff and contractors servicing the country’s largest hydro power station, Manapōuri Power Station. 

The first batch of 8 Candela P-12 electric foiling ferries will be delivered to NEOM in 2025 and early 2026.

Electric foiling ferries match NEOM philosophy

NEOM says that one of the pillars of their project is conservation: “Protection, preservation and regeneration sit at the core of NEOM’s model. We’re an accelerator of planetary regeneration and nature has to come first.”

The Candela P-12, with its high efficiency and low environmental impact, fits in perfectly with that vision. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method that measures the overall environmental impact of a boat and looks at the materials and energy used in every phase of the boat’s design, construction and usage.

An LCA performed by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm concluded that a P-12 will emit 97.5% less CO2 during its lifetime compared to a conventional diesel vessel of the same size.

Another key tenet of the NEOM philosophy is assembling the brightest minds and best solutions in the world. Chief Executive Officer Nadhmi Al-Nasr says “we are addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity by bringing together a community committed to reimagining what a sustainable future will look like in 20 to 30 years, and building it today.”

With the addition of Candela, one of the true pioneers of electric boating, that community is in good company.”We’re extremely proud to provide a vessel system designed with both passengers and the environment in mind. Short waiting times, quick connections, and a very enjoyable experience without taxing the environment with wakes, emissions, and noise will revolutionize how we travel on water,” said Gustav Hasselskog of Candela.

Candela  NEOM 
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