By
Alex Smith |
Swedish shipbuilder Candela and Thai operator Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Company have signed an agreement for 10 Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries for services between the mainland and Koh Kood in Trat province.
The agreement was formalised at the SX Sustainability Expo in the presence of the Governor of Trat, representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Transport and the Swedish Embassy.
Candela’s P-12 ferries use hydrofoil technology to lift the hull above the water, cutting energy use by up to 80 per cent compared with traditional craft. Powered entirely by electricity, they produce no emissions, minimal noise and wake, and can be charged directly from solar power.
Each of the 10 ferries will be the Business version of the P-12, with capacity for 20 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin and room for luggage. The vessels feature Candela’s digital flight control system, which automatically adjusts the hydrofoils to reduce slamming and pitching for a smoother ride. Cruising at over 25 knots, they will cover the 20-nautical-mile crossing in around 40 minutes.
Each of the 10 ferries will be the Business version of the P-12
Access to Koh Kood has until now relied on conventional gasoline-powered speedboats, which create noise, large wakes and heavy emissions that threaten marine life and shorelines. With its fleet of P-12s in operation, Seudamgo will be able to offer frequent daily departures, while also reducing the environmental impact of ferry transport to the island
“Candela’s P-12 foil electric technology is a game-changer. It represents a truly sustainable vessel – free from emissions, oil spills, and underwater noise,” said Surachai Suwanthanakul, CEO of Leopard Transportation Company. “We are proud to be the first to bring this unique technology to Thailand and South-East Asia.”
Thailand is already a strategic hub for Candela, which has its largest office outside Sweden in Bangkok.
“This agreement demonstrates how Thailand can leapfrog directly to sustainable waterborne transport,” says 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.”