US launches electric hydrofoil ferries in clean transit push — SkimNews
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- Vessev builds fully electric hydrofoil boats that reduce drag by about 66%, enabling smaller battery packs and making electrification viable for passenger vessels
- Eric Laakmann, CEO and co-founder of Vessev, demonstrated the hydrofoil's 'takeoff' capability in New York Harbor, where the hull lifts 1.5 feet above water for a smooth, efficient glide
- Candela, a Swedish company, already operates electric hydrofoil ferries in Stockholm and has secured an order for 20 boats from Norway for coastal service
- San Francisco’s ferry agency, led by Seamus Murphy, plans to add four battery-powered high-speed ferries over the next two years as part of a $500 million electric overhaul
- The San Francisco ferry system, currently running 18 diesel-powered vessels, will become the first in the U.S. to operate high-speed, all-electric ferries without using hydrofoils initially
- Murphy emphasized that while upfront costs are high, lower long-term fuel and maintenance expenses justify the transition, especially amid rising diesel prices and better battery technology
Why it matters: Ferry operators gain lower lifetime operating costs and reduced emissions, while U.S. manufacturers could capture domestic jobs in shipbuilding and battery production; the shift hinges on route-specific viability and charging infrastructure coordination, not just environmental goals.
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