Sunita Somvanshi
Eight P-12 boats will help passengers navigate a new tourist destination in Saudi Arabia. Candela, based in Stockholm, a manufacturer of long-range electric boats, announced on Wednesday that its first electric hydrofoil, the Candela P-12, will be serving the planned water network in NEOM, the massive sustainable development taking shape in northwestern Saudi Arabia. NEOM, the new tourist destination being developed off the coast of Saudi Arabia, has ordered eight of these vessels for its planned water transport network, making it the largest order in Candela’s history.
Announced in June 2022 and launched in November 2023, the P-12 is the fourth model in Candela’s fleet, following the C-7, C-8, and P-8 Voyager, which debuted in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. The shipyard also launched a special edition of the C-8 Polestar in July. The P-12 will debut as part of Stockholm’s public transportation system this fall. NEOM’s fleet will be delivered in 2025 and early 2026.
The P-12 is a 39-foot-long, zero-emission vessel that “flies” over the waves using computer-guided hydrofoils that adjust 100 times per second to ensure smoothness and stability. The Candela P-12 can accommodate between 20 and 30 people depending on the configuration. Equipped with two Candela C-POD electric motors and four 63 kWh batteries, the P-12 has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 40 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots. The yacht also generates minimal wake, making it ideal for coastal navigation.
The P-12 is designed to create emission-free water transport systems that offer significant improvements over traditional water commutes. Unlike traditional systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing for much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers. All daily needs and services will be just a short boat ride away.
A study by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm found that the P-12 emits 97.5% less CO2 over its lifetime compared to a conventional diesel-powered vessel of the same size, due to its 80% lower energy consumption. The Candela P-12 comes in three versions: P-12 Shuttle, Business, and Voyager, catering to various passenger capacities and requirements.
The agreement with NEOM is significant for several reasons: it is the largest order Candela has received to date and is further proof that tourism is embracing emission-free transport. Candela is not the only company creating electric ferries for passengers; other companies like Zeam, CAPTN, and Boundary Layer Technologies have also developed similar concepts.
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Founded by Gustav Hasselskog, Candela provides sustainable electric hydrofoils that offer shorter travel times and greater comfort than traditional boats. The company aims to rethink efficiency in maritime transport to radically extend the performance limits of electric boats and ships.
“We began dreaming of passenger ferries. Now, five years later, we’ve achieved our largest milestone to date: a deal to deliver 8 ferries to NEOM, the world’s largest property development project. This new city, starting from a blank slate, is designed to host 9 million people by bringing together the best in city planning, architecture, and sustainable transport.” Hasselskog shares in his post.
The announcement comes five months after Candela raised €25 million in funding from Groupe Beneteau, bringing the total funds raised to €70 million.
