Inspired by America’s Cup, VS-9 hydrofoiling ferry enters service
Vessev’s first VS-9 hydrofoiling ferry, Kermadec, has entered commercial service in New Zealand. It’s being utilised by Fullers360, New Zealand’s largest ferry transport and tourism operator and will carry passengers on tourism trips. Electric hydrofoiling ferries are now popping-up all over the world. Candela recently announced its P-12 is being used on the US’s Lake Tahoe, in collaboration with local operator FlyTahoe.
Vessev’s nine-metre hydrofoil has a service speed of 25 knots with a range of 50 nautical miles (57 miles/92.6km). Vessev states the precision engineered hydrofoiling technology has been adapted from race winning America’s Cup racing yachts and that the VS–9 can comfortably operate over a vast range of bodies of water and sea states. And, it can also be transported over land via trailer.
“The VS—9 is the first electric vessel to enter the Fullers360 fleet and represents an enormous step on their path to being net zero by 2040,” says Eric Laakmann CEO of Vessev. He adds that he’s thrilled the public can now share in what he’s been experiencing since its launch last May.
“This new era of hydrofoiling vessels traces its origins to the efforts by Team New Zealand in the 2013 America’s Cup. It is fitting that visitors to Auckland can now buy a ticket with Fullers360 to experience the new era of how we will move on the water.”
The VS–9 boasts a spacious, modern interior designed for comfort and convenience, complete with panoramic windows for stunning views of Auckland’s iconic harbour, states Vessev. The company believes that the foiling innovations below the waterline, and its new level of energy efficiency, mean the Vessev VS–9 will represent significantly lower total cost of ownership than a comparable vessel with a displacement hull, be it ICE or electrically driven.
“Traditionally, larger vessels are required to deliver a comfortable passenger experience as they can handle the impact of waves and wake,” Laakmann continues. “By flying above the waves, the Vessev VS–9 delivers a large vessel experience on an agile platform that can be berthed and charged in nearly any marina.
“In the future, we are going to see many different use cases made viable by technology like this.”
Vessev and Fullers360 aim to continue their collaboration, and currently have the VS–18, a 100-seater electric hydrofoiling commuter ferry, on the drawing board.
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