Clean maritime company Artemis Technologies, alongside the Council of the Isles of Scilly and Connected Places Catapult, recently completed a feasibility study exploring the potential to establish a new Green Shipping Corridor between Cornwall on the SW UK mainland and the Isles of Scilly.
The feasibility study assessed how Artemis Technologies’ electric hydrofoil technology, the Artemis eFoiler system, could support a future passenger service operated by a ferry operator on the route. Building on those findings, demonstrations in the region have showcased the technology behind the Artemis EF-24 Passenger, a 100% electric, high-speed hydrofoil ferry designed to provide a reliable, year-round passenger connection.
Powered by Artemis Technologies’ proprietary eFoiler technology, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger uses hydrofoils, reducing drag and energy consumption while providing a smooth and more comfortable journey in challenging sea conditions. The study concluded that the vessel could provide a commercially viable passenger service on the route, with journey times of just over one hour.
The demonstrations provided an opportunity to gather additional operational insights and assess the technology in the environment where it could operate.
Artemis Technologies CEO, Dr Iain Percy, said: “Artemis eFoiler technology combines high-speed, zero-emission operation with exceptional passenger comfort and has already shown the performance and resilience needed for challenging island and coastal routes. The feasibility study highlighted the potential for smaller vessels, such as the 150-passenger Artemis EF-24 Passenger, to serve the route effectively, offering greater operational flexibility in challenging weather conditions than is often possible with larger vessels. Having proven its capability in rough seas, the technology has covered more than 40 nautical miles at speeds of up to 28 knots in wave heights exceeding 3m. This reinforce its suitability for routes such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and its potential to deliver a faster, cleaner and more resilient transport option for local communities and visitors.”
Mark Wray, Head of Maritime, Technical, Connected Places Catapult, added: “The route offers a compelling opportunity to support wider ambitions around maritime decarbonisation and Green Shipping Corridors. These demonstrations build on the feasibility study by helping people experience the technology first-hand and better understand the role it could play in supporting cleaner, more connected communities.”
Image: Artemis eFoiler EF-24 Passenger electric hydrofoil vessel (source: Artemis Technologies)
