Candela puts its P-12 hydrofoil to the test in the Norwegian sea

Javier Cantagalli 25 December 2025 2 min.

Candela puts its P-12 hydrofoil to the test in the Norwegian sea

If successful, this trial in Trondheim could mark a before and after not only for the region, but also for other areas of Norway where fast, zero-emission maritime transport remains a challenge.

The Swedish company Candela, specialising in electric hydrofoil boats, is preparing to take its P-12 model to Trondheim, Norway, for a six-week trial that will assess whether this vessel can become a viable option for the daily transport of passengers between Frosta Brygge and this Norwegian town.

The P-12 stands out for its retractable foils, which lift the hull nearly one metre above the water once it reaches a cruising speed of 25 knots, roughly 46 km/h. This feature drastically reduces drag and noise, giving the impression that the vessel is flying above the water rather than sailing across it.

In Stockholm, this system has been operating successfully since last year, connecting the island suburb of Ekerö, on Lake Mälaren, with the city centre just 15 kilometres away. Candela has recently announced that the P-12 will also operate in the capital’s extensive archipelago, made up of thousands of islands stretching out towards the Baltic Sea.

In Trondheim, the Frostabåten project aims to temporarily revive a ferry route that ceased operating in 1970. In its final years, that connection used a diesel-powered PT-20 hydrofoil, which was fast but too expensive to maintain. Now, a collaboration between property developers, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and local and regional authorities will allow the P-12 to be tested on the same route for six weeks.

A better alternative than the car, the bus or the train

Norway’s fjords make it possible to cover many short distances by water, but ferry connections do not always exist. One example is Frosta, a new coastal residential area overlooking the fjord. The journey by car or bus to central Trondheim takes about 90 minutes, whereas with the P-12 that time is cut to just 30 minutes, a saving of up to two hours for those who commute every day.

“We are bringing hydrofoil boats back to Trondheim, but this time they are electric, almost silent and far more efficient”

According to Candela, the P-12’s high efficiency could overcome one of the main obstacles to electrifying Norway’s ferry fleets. Although the country has ambitious targets to eliminate emissions from its fjords and enjoys broad political support, high-speed routes have been difficult to electrify with conventional vessels, since they consume a great deal of energy, require costly megawatt chargers and have limited range. By contrast, the P-12 is recharged with mobile, affordable fast DC chargers, similar to those used for electric vehicles.

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