STOCKHOLM — An advanced electric ferry service commenced operations in Stockholm on Tuesday, providing commuters with an environmentally friendly means to navigate the city’s waterways, which are spread across 14 islands.
In what the city claims to be a world premiere, 25 commuters from the suburb of Ekero boarded the Nova, a hydrofoil ferry utilizing electric motors. This innovative ferry glided roughly one meter (3 feet) above the water and traveled 15 kilometers (9 miles) to reach Stockholm’s City Hall in a mere 30 minutes. In contrast, the traditional diesel-powered ferry route typically takes 45 minutes without any stops.
Gustav Hemming, the city councilor responsible for climate and infrastructure, stated, “We are demonstrating the path forward in the green transition at sea.” The nine-month pilot project’s goal is to encourage more individuals to choose public transport over personal vehicles.
Gustav Hasselskog, the CEO of Candela, the electric boat manufacturer, hailed this launch as “a paradigm shift for urban transport and a revitalization of our waterways.” He explained that the Nova is the inaugural vessel of Candela’s P-12 model to begin service. This ferry’s computer-guided hydrofoil wings elevate the hull above the water’s surface, diminishing energy use by 80% compared to traditional ships by lowering water resistance.
“Standard vessels have seen little advancement in the last century and rank among the least energy-efficient transport options available, second only to battle tanks,” said Hasselskog in a statement.
As of this Tuesday, the Nova officially joined the fleet managed by Stockholm’s public transportation provider, SL.
The ferry can accommodate 25 passengers, with one space designated for a wheelchair. Although there are speed limits along certain segments of the route, there are no restrictions in open water. The hydrofoil maintains a cruising speed of approximately 25 knots (46 kph or 29 mph) and can achieve peak speeds of up to 30 knots (56 kph or 35 mph), making it significantly faster than other electric passenger ferries. This performance is accomplished through its carbon fiber hydrofoil wings that elevate the vessel above the water, thereby reducing drag.
Another advantage of the Nova is that it is exempt from the 12-knot speed limit in Stockholm, thanks to its design that generates no wake—the waves created by a boat displacing water that can swamp other vessels or cause shoreline erosion.
Candela asserts that its technology decreases energy consumption per passenger-kilometer by a startling 95% when compared with the diesel ferries operating in the picturesque Stockholm archipelago.
The vessel can remain operational even in waves reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 feet).
Candela aspires for cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Venice to follow suit in implementing electrification in public water transportation.
In Stockholm, there are around 70 public transport vessels that rely on fossil fuels. In 2022, the Stockholm region recorded approximately 6.2 million public transport boat journeys. Although boat travel constitutes a smaller fraction of the overall public transit system, it represents the fastest-growing form of public transportation following the COVID-19 pandemic.