Swedish electric ferries to serve Thai island route

Swedish electric boat maker Candela has secured an order for 10 electric hydrofoil ferries from Thai operator Seudamgo by Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd. to serve routes between the mainland and Koh Kood island in Trat province.

The agreement was signed during the SX Sustainability Expo in Bangkok, witnessed by the Governor of Trat, representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Transport, and the Swedish Embassy.

The Candela P-12 vessels will replace conventional gasoline-powered speedboats on the route to Koh Kood, described as Thailand’s most pristine island paradise. The electric hydrofoil ferries use up to 80% less energy than traditional boats, produce zero emissions, and leave virtually no wake or noise.

“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. At the same time, it offers passengers a superior experience – you can’t really get seasick on board a Candela,” says Surachai Suwanthanakul, CEO of Leopard Transportation Co., Ltd.

The vessels fly above the water on underwater wings and can charge directly from solar power. They feature a digital flight control system that automatically adjusts the hydrofoils’ angle of attack in real time to counteract slamming or pitching found in other vessels.

Premium service for island route

The 10 vessels will be the upscale Business version of the P-12, featuring premium seating and a spacious interior for 20 passengers, along with ample luggage capacity. Cruising at 25+ knots, the vessels will cover the 20-nautical mile route in 40 minutes.

Each P-12 measures 11.99 metres in length with a 4.5-metre beam. The vessels are powered by two Candela C-Pod units delivering 110kW continuous power and 160kW peak, supported by 378kWh nominal batteries with 336kWh usable capacity. They can charge at up to 300kW DC and offer a range of up to 40 nautical miles at 25 knots service speed.

“This agreement demonstrates how Thailand can leapfrog directly to sustainable waterborne transport,” said 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.”

Regional expansion strategy

Thailand hosts Candela’s largest office outside Sweden, located in Bangkok, making it a key market for the Swedish company. The country’s vast waterborne transport sector and more1500 islands present significant opportunities for sustainable marine transport solutions.

“Thailand is one of the most exciting markets for sustainable water transport,” says Björn Antonsson, Candela’s Regional CEO Asia-Pacific. “With its thousands of islands, big rivers and vibrant tourism industry, the country can truly benefit from our technology. Partnering with Seudamgo to introduce the P-12 fleet is a fantastic beginning – we see enormous potential to expand clean, efficient hydrofoil transport across Thailand and the wider region.”

The deployment represents the first introduction of Candela’s electric hydrofoil technology to Thailand and South-East Asia, with the new fleet aimed at preserving the region’s pristine environment while supporting continued tourism growth.