Electric hydrofoil firm Vessev announces US expansion
As part of the expansion, Vessev has appointed Josh Trout as Director of North America, where he will lead efforts to establish operations in the US. Trout’s office aims to produce Vessev craft in the US as well as grow its client base in the marine industry there.
Trout said: “I have complete confidence that I can support the company’s US growth strategy with both sales and extending our reach in international markets. We are also exploring the opportunities to build our state-of-the-art vessels in the US, which will both create jobs and set the foundations for our service and support business in the US.”
The company’s main product, the VS-9 electric hydrofoil, is already in commercial deployment in Auckland, New Zealand. With a top speed of 25 knots (46.3kph) and a range of 50 nautical miles (92.6km), the nine-metre-long craft can carry up to 10 passengers above the surface of the water. It uses a hydrofoil system by which the wings change their shape underwater using a series of high-precision flaps. Vessev claims that this helps travel on the water more comfortable than conventional small boats, which it says can sometimes cause discomfort to passengers in bad weather.
Fullers360, the country’s largest ferry operator, added the VS-9 to its fleet and began operation at the end of January 2025. The VS-9 is primarily used by Fullers360 for an ‘Electric Hydrofoil Experience’, costing 195 New Zealand dollars (approx. €107.5 Eur).
According to Vessev, this marked the first time an electric hydrofoiling vessel was privately commercialised. In a LinkedIn statement, Vessev said: “While this is a first, this is just a first step of many. 10 years from now, every major body of water will have electric hydrofoiling vessels operating.”
Since being certified by Maritime New Zealand, the company has reportedly ramped up development of a larger hydrofoil craft capable of carrying up to 100 passengers.
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