Swedish electric boat maker Candela and Thai operator Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Co. have entered an agreement for 10 Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries to initially operate on the route between the Thai mainland and Koh Kood in Trat province.
Koh Kood has been intentionally kept less developed than other tourist hotspots such as Phuket and Koh Samui. Access to the island has previously relied on conventional gasoline-powered speedboats – vessels that generate noise, large, damaging wakes and heavy emissions. They are said to threaten marine life, shorelines and the quiet character of the island.
Candela’s P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels offer a different approach from traditional fast ferries and speedboats. Flying above the water on underwater wings, they reportedly use up to 80% less energy than traditional boats, produce zero emissions and leave very little wake or noise. With the ability to charge directly from solar power, they enable clean and sustainable island transportation.
By using its fleet of P-12s, Seudamgo hopes to offer a seasickness-free journey. The vessels feature a digital flight control system – a computer that automatically adjusts the hydrofoils’ angle of attack in real time to counteract the slamming or pitching found in other vessels.
“Candela’s P-12 foil electric technology is a game-changer,” said Surachai Suwanthanakul, CEO of Leopard Transportation Co. Ltd. “It represents a truly sustainable vessel – free from emissions, oil spills and underwater noise. At the same time, it offers passengers a superior experience – you can’t really get seasick on board a Candela. We are proud to be the first to bring this unique technology to Thailand and South East Asia.”
The 10 vessels will be upscale business versions of P-12, featuring premium seating and a spacious interior for 20 passengers. They will reportedly cover the 20-nautical-mile route in just 40 minutes, cruising at 25+ knots.
“This agreement demonstrates how Thailand can leapfrog directly to sustainable waterborne transport,” said Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO of Candela. “By replacing noisy, polluting speedboats with our electric flying ships, Seudamgo is protecting one of Thailand’s most beautiful destinations.”
Thailand is home to Candela’s largest office outside Sweden, located in Bangkok, and is a key market for the Swedish electromobility company thanks to its vast waterborne transportation sector and more than 1,500 islands.
“Thailand is one of the most exciting markets for sustainable water transport,” said Björn Antonsson, Candela’s regional CEO for Asia-Pacific. “With its thousands of islands, big rivers and vibrant tourism industry, the country can truly benefit from our technology. Partnering with Seudamgo to introduce the P-12 fleet is a fantastic beginning – we see enormous potential to expand clean, efficient hydrofoil transport across Thailand and the wider region.”
Candela P-12 specifications:
- Length: 11.99m
- Beam: 4.5m
- Capacity: 20 pax
- Propulsion: 2x Candela C-Pod 110kW continuous/160kW peak
- Batteries: 378kWh nominal/336kWh usable
- Charging: up to 300kW DC
- Service speed: 25kts
- Range: up to 40 nautical miles at 25kts service speed
In related news, the construction of seven new loch-class electric ferries is underway for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd