New Zealand-based Vessev presents electric hydrofoil
The state-of-the-art vessel utilises the hydrofoil technology known from the America’s Cup, and is currently undergoing trials in Auckland, New Zealand. The first VS-9 is due to be certified before the end of this year and will then be put into commercial service by Fullers360, New Zealand’s largest ferry operator.
The nine-metre-long VS-9 will carry up to 10 passengers at a speed of 25 knots (46.3 kph) and offers an experience more akin to flying than sailing – at least that’s what the manufacturer claims. Thanks to its state-of-the-art, efficient airfoil technology, the VS-9 has a range of 50 nautical miles (92.6 km).
According to the company, larger vessels are required to provide a comfortable passenger experience, as only they can cope with the effects of waves and wake. The VS-9, however, offers the experience of a large ship on a manoeuvrable platform, flying above the waves. In addition, the ship is so small that it can dock in any marina.
The VS-9 has a hydrofoil system in which the wings change their shape underwater using high-precision flaps to optimise efficiency. This enables the VS-9 to cope with adverse weather conditions and offer far better seakeeping behaviour than other technologies. Vessev’s engineers utilised some of the same techniques used by the America’s Cup winning teams to make their systems extremely efficient and resilient.
“To our knowledge, the VS—9 will be the only certified passenger electric hydrofoiling vessel to utilise this technology. We use techniques similar to America’s Cup vessels which provide very high control authority when compared to other systems. That means we can handle more wind and bigger seas. The system is more difficult to engineer up-front, but results in a very performant vessel that is both more capable and more efficient,” said Eric Laakmann, CEO of Vessev.
Vessev’s expert team of marine engineers and boat builders, working with Fullers360’s NetZero Maritime decarbonisation team, have ensured that the VS-9 has been designed and built to fit seamlessly into the demands of commercial and tourism transport.
“Our partnership integrates New Zealand’s largest ferry transport and tourism operator with one of the country’s foremost sustainable marine technology providers. At Vessev, our ethos of ‘engineered for safety’, ‘built to last’ and ‘impact through performance’ is vital, and that’s exactly what the VS—9 delivers,” added Laakmann.
“It’s our intention for Fullers360 to be 100% electric or hydrogen operated by 2040 and foiling is absolutely a part of that vision for us. The establishment of NetZero Maritime has enabled us to dedicate a team to enabling zero emissions projects with the VS—9 being the first fully electric passenger vessel to operate in Auckland,” explained Mike Horne, CEO of Fullers360.
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