Vessev’s VS—9 has officially joined the fleet of Fullers360, New Zealand’s largest ferry operator, following the commercial certification by Maritime New Zealand. It is the first electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel to be commercialized by a major private operator.
Electric hydrofoil design
Designed and built by Vessev, the electric hydrofoiling VS—9 is a 9m vessel that can transport passengers at a service speed of 25kts. Propelled by type-approved battery packs, the VS—9 has a range of up to 50 nautical miles (57 miles/92.6km) thanks to hydrofoiling technology adapted from America’s Cup yachts. This efficiency and performance enable the VS—9 to be berthed and charged in nearly any marina, making it a scalable electric commercial platform.
Throughout sea trials, the VS—9 exceeded performance expectations, handling waves of up to 1m. The propulsion system uses approximately 55kW while cruising at 25kts – the equivalent of just over 70hp. According to the company, this is unheard of for a 9m vessel with a full-standing height cabin.
Updated passenger service
Eric Laakmann, CEO of Vessev, commented, “This is a proud moment for us and a major milestone for marine sustainability. Fullers360 is the first major ferry operator in the world to incorporate a certified electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel into its fleet. That is an incredible achievement for the team at Vessev, Fullers360, and for New Zealand innovation as a whole. We’re so excited for the new year, when passengers will be able to share in this experience. Ten years from now – every major body of water will have electric hydrofoiling vessels operating and delivering entirely new services and experiences. This is just the start.”
Mike Horne, CEO of Fullers360, added, “Today is a landmark day for Fullers360, Vessev and New Zealand. The potential of the VS—9 is simply enormous – it opens up an entirely new way of travelling, one that is not only immensely enjoyable but is efficient and plays a key role in reducing emissions. We are excited by the future possibilities of Vessev’s technologies and very much looking forward to the first passenger journeys in the new year, which will be the start of many.”
Garry Jolliffe, chief operating officer (COO) of Vessev and certification lead, said, “Engineered for safety is part of our ethos. We started this program in May of 2023 with Maritime New Zealand-approved surveyors who have been embedded with us at every stage of the process. It’s one thing to build a hydrofoiling vessel, it’s an entirely different challenge to engineer and deliver one to commercial standards. We are thrilled to have received our certificate of survey from Maritime New Zealand and look forward to seeing the VS—9 entering into commercial service shortly.”
In related news, Yinson GreenTech has unveiled Singapore’s first fully electric hydrofoil vessel, the Hydroglyder. Click here to read the full story.