Norway is set to introduce the world’s largest electric fleet to date after Boreal AS ordered 20 Candela P-12 vessels from Sweden’s Candela Technology.
The vessels are intended for passenger transport along Norway’s coastline, where waterborne travel remains an essential part of daily transport for commuters and tourists. The fleet is also expected to provide more frequent departures and shorter travel times.
Norway already has the world’s most electrified car market, with about 99% of new car sales fully electric. High-speed passenger vessel electrification has remained more difficult because conventional electric ferries have not offered the range and speed needed to replace diesel fast ferries operating across deep fjords and more than 100,000 km of coastline.
According to the source, the Candela P-12 combines a cruising speed of 25 knots with a range of around 40 nautical miles. That makes electric operation possible on routes that have until now been served only by diesel vessels. Boreal AS said the fleet will support new high-speed routes in cities and rural areas.
The vessel uses computer-controlled hydrofoils mounted beneath the hull. At speeds above 18 knots, the foils lift the vessel above the water, reducing drag. The source said this cuts energy consumption by around 80% compared with conventional vessels of similar size. The Candela P-12 is already operating in Stockholm’s public transport system.
The source also said the vessel can fully recharge in one hour using standard DC car fast chargers, avoiding the megawatt-scale charging systems required by conventional electric ferries. That capability was recently demonstrated on a voyage between Sweden and Norway, when the Candela P-12 completed what the source described as the longest electric sea journey to date. Along the route, it recharged using a mobile battery system carried by a Ford F-150 Lightning.
The first two vessels are due for delivery in 2027 and are planned to enter service on one of several potential routes being explored in Norway and abroad. The remaining vessels will follow in annual batches between 2028 and 2030.
The source also highlighted passenger comfort. The vessel’s digital Flight controller reads wave conditions through sensors and adjusts the hydrofoils in real time to provide a smoother ride in rough seas while keeping cabin noise low. Recent tests in Stockholm recorded cabin noise at 64 dB, which the source said made it the quietest high-speed vessel in operation.
Boreal AS said the order is intended to accelerate zero-emission high-speed travel along the Norwegian coast and help expand electric vessel use beyond Norway. Candela Technology said the partnership reflects efforts to advance lower-emission maritime transport while reducing operating costs.
