Vessev will launch the world’s first premium electric tourist hydrofoil

Vessev has partnered with New Zealand ferry operator Fullers360 to develop the vessel, which will become the first fully electric passenger ship to operate in Auckland and the world’s first hydrofoil tour vessel. The ship is currently undergoing sea trials in Auckland, New Zealand, and the first VS-9 will be certified later this year and will then enter commercial service at Fullers360.

The nine-meter long VS-9 will carry up to 10 passengers with an operating speed of 25 knots. It has a range of 50 nautical miles (57 miles/92.6 km).

“We are in the earliest stages of the global transition to sustainable energy use,” said Eric Laakmann, CEO of Vessev. “Our partnership with NetZero Maritime is one of the most powerful in the world in accelerating the adoption of new technologies. There are currently 33 million ships in the world, the smallest part of which are sustainable ships. With significant improvements in efficiency, hydrofoils will play a key role in this once-in-a-generation change.”

The VS-9 features ultra-high-performance hydrofoil systems where the foils change shape using precision flaps underwater to optimize performance and enable the VS-9 to cope with inclement weather. Vessev engineers used some of the same techniques used by America’s Cup winning teams to ensure Vessev systems are ultra-efficient and resilient. The ship’s technology is designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 95 percent, enabling a range of up to 50 nautical miles at an operating speed of 25 knots and significantly reduced operating costs.

The foils enable the ship to move completely above the waves, providing a seamless experience for passengers and increasing its operational capabilities. The VS-9 takes off at a speed of 18-19 knots, transitioning from foil assist mode to full foil mode, and cruises at an optimal efficiency range of 22-25 knots. The foil stabilization systems come into play at a speed of 12 knots – actively reducing pitch and roll movements, even when not fully on the foils and “flying”. The foils are also fully retractable, allowing the vessel to float in shallow water and protecting the foils so the boat can be trailered.

The VS-9 can be charged using existing electric charging infrastructure commonly available in most marinas, speeding up service times. When DC fast charging is enabled, charging times will be up to 0.8 nautical miles per minute of charging.

Using the VS-9 design, Vessev is already working to further improve the vessel’s performance and apply it to larger foiling vessels that can accommodate larger numbers of passengers and are adapted to a variety of routes.

VS-9 entered the water for the first time earlier this month at Auckland’s Westhaven Marina, where it is undergoing robust sea trials and risk mitigation tests before being certified by Maritime New Zealand. It is now on track to become the first ship of its type in the world to be certified for commercial use.

Additional information:

Vesev