Using the same technology as America’s Cup racing yachts, electric-powered hydrofoils attached to the hull by vertical struts lift the boats above the water.
Using the same technology as America’s Cup racing yachts, electric-powered hydrofoils attached to the hull by vertical struts lift the boats above the water.
The eco-friendly vessels are then propelled out of the water by these underwater wings, like an airplane on a runway, as their speed increases.
This not only allows the boat to cruise nearly silently because its hull is no longer pushed to break the waves, but it also drastically cuts drag, and hence operating expenses.
Iain Percy, the Olympic sailing champion, is the CEO of Artemis Technologies, the firm responsible for the 10-ton, zero-emissions electric boat that can be recharged in an hour.
It currently employs 60 people but has plans to create 1,000 new positions over the next decade.
Each vessel has a maximum speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles and can accommodate 12 passengers. They can serve as workboats or personnel transfer vessels for larger vessels.
Artemis claims that its eFoiler propulsion technology saves 90 percent more energy than equivalent boats fueled by conventional fuels.
The technology is a spin-off of the Artemis Racing team that competed in America’s Cup; Mr. Percy is a four-time veteran of this boat race and a double Olympic champion.
Combining our experience in high-performance sailing, racing, and sophisticated manufacturing, the electric propulsion system we’ve designed and built is a game-changer for the industry in terms of range, cost savings, and little wake.
“The ride comfort of a hydrofoil vessel in a large sea must be experienced to be believed, providing a fully smooth journey regardless of the sea conditions.
“Engineers serving on crew transfer vessels or in port operations will be able to reach their location and provide their services without discomfort.
“This is only the start. In the coming years, when our vessels revolutionize the commercial workboat and city-to-city passenger ferry sectors, Belfast and the United Kingdom will be at the forefront, creating thousands of supply chain jobs and ushering in a green shipbuilding revolution.
“With the worldwide small boat industry worth 70 billion dollars, we are incredibly happy to present our first series of zero-emission vessels for the workboat sector, from which we have already had strong pre-market demand.
This is a monumental achievement not only for us but also for worldwide decarbonization efforts, as the International Maritime Organization requires emissions to be cut in half by 2050.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, stated that Artemis was “contributing positively” to the United Kingdom’s efforts to reduce emissions.
“The talent and expertise of Artemis Technologies are leading the way in maritime decarbonization and playing a crucial part in assisting Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom to attain our net-zero ambitions,” he said.
“Artemis makes a positive contribution to the British economy through the development of zero-emission technologies, which supports innovation and job growth.
“I am thrilled that such remarkable technology has been developed in Northern Ireland and that I was able to view the eFoiler technology in person at a recent demonstration in Belfast.
Artemis Technologies’ introduction of this line of eco-friendly vessels is a very positive step in the fight against climate change.
