UK designed foiling fast ferry enters build phase

Currently being built by Southampton composites specialist Designcraft the vessel - a high speed electric trimaran - is being  developed with £1.86m of Innovate UK funding, as part of an effort to decarbonise short coastal journeys and reduce costs for ferry operators. 

The project team also includes Solent University and sustainable marine engineering consultant Newcastle Marine Services . 

Whilst the ultimate aim is to develop a much larger vessel for commercial operation, the initial 10-metre demonstrator will feature a single fixed main foil, with the foiling and flight control carried out by a single foiling rudder. The design enables the TriFoiler to foil with less power than either a monohull or catamaran-based design, offering commercial ferry operators a cost-effective option for building and operating the vessel.

Capable of reaching 18 knots, the demonstrator vessel is powered by twin 20kW motors with 60kWh battery capacity and can accommodate three people. The batteries are positioned out wide on the craft, away from the passenger and crew area to enhance safety and maximise usable space. 

The prototype is expected to hit the waters in early 2025 ahead of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3) sea trials in March, aimed at proving the concept’s viability and its ability to operate in a range of weather and sea conditions. Prior to this, a full-sized digital twin is scheduled to undergo testing at the Solent University simulator to assess its handling, stability, and efficiency across various simulated environments.

After that, the team hopes to develop a commercial-scale vessel, based on the learnings gained from this project. Boasting 300kW of installed power, this 24-metre craft will be capable of reaching 26-28 knots and have a capacity of up to 40 passengers.

“Foiling technology has great potential to significantly increase the range and viability of electric vessels, specifically in the passenger ferry industry, where routes, operations, and conditions are predictable and typically consistent,” said Chartwell Marine MD Andy Page. “However, for foiling to become widely adopted and viable at scale, components must be commercially available on short lead times and easy to integrate – for example, leveraging standard electric motors, commonly found in the automotive industry. Integrating these technologies in a marine platform is still in its early stages and requires rigorous testing to fully understand their potential and suitability. Addressing any technical hurdles is crucial before foiling technology can be deemed viable for industry-wide implementation.”

The project is one of a number of similar initiatives around the world. Earlier this year, as reported by The Engineer , New Zealand start-up Vessev launched its first electric hydrofoiling passenger vessel, the VS-9, whilst the P12 foiling ferry developed by Swedish firm Candela is poised to enter service with a number of operators.