Boreal orders 20 electric ferries from Candela

Norwegian transport operator Boreal has commissioned Swedish boatmaker Candela to build 20 electric hydrofoil ferries for its fleet.

IMAGE: An illustration of Boreal’s electric ferries operating in Norwegian fjords. Candela

Hydrofoil vessels use wing-like structures beneath the hull to lift the vessel above the water at higher speeds, significantly reducing drag and improving energy efficiency.

The ferries, known as the P-12, have a range of about 40 nautical miles, allowing fully electric operations on routes that have traditionally relied on diesel-powered vessels. They can be fully recharged within an hour using standard DC fast chargers, according to Candela.

These ferries will primarily operate along Norway’s fjord-lined coastline, where water transport is a key part of everyday mobility.

“With this fleet, Boreal wants to take the next step—accelerating zero-emission high-speed travel along the Norwegian coast,” said Boreal’s chief executive Nikolai Knudsmoen Utheim.

The deal marks “the world’s largest electric fleet to date,” Candela claimed.

The first two P-12 ferries are scheduled for delivery in 2027, with the remaining vessels to be rolled out in annual batches between 2028 and 2030.

By Tuhin Roy

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