A significant milestone in sustainable maritime transport is anticipated in 2026 with the introduction of the Artemis EF-24, a 150-passenger hydrofoil electric vessel set to operate between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. As the first large-scale commercial deployment of electric foiling ferries in the United Kingdom, the EF-24 demonstrates the feasibility of zero-emission, high-speed passenger transport.
Image Credit: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock.com
The all-electric vessel by Artemis Technologies features its patented hydrofoil design and modular battery packs, allowing its hull to lift above the water, significantly reducing drag, extending range, and increasing speed. This concept enables an efficient, zero-emission ferry capable of lowering carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 3,700 tons per year compared with conventional high-speed ferries.1
Artemis’ Hydrofoil-Based Zero-Emission Vessels
Artemis Technologies is a maritime engineering company at the forefront of low-carbon, high-speed vessel innovation. Its designs feature hydrofoil technology, which lifts the hull above the water as the vessel accelerates, significantly reducing drag and enhancing energy efficiency.
Based on fluid dynamics principles similar to an aircraft’s takeoff, this approach allows hydrofoil vessels to achieve higher speeds, smoother rides, and reduced vibrations compared with traditional displacement ferries. Artemis provides fast, efficient, and environmentally sustainable maritime transport solutions by pairing this design with zero-emission propulsion.2,3
Environmental Impact
Traditional ferry operations are a significant source of greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur compounds, and particulate matter.
According to the OECD, global maritime transport emissions increased from 889 million tons of CO2 in 2019 to 974 million tons in 2024, reflecting an average annual growth of 1.8%. This upward trend emphasizes the urgent need to decarbonize the sector to meet international climate targets, such as those set by the Paris Agreement.
Artemis Technologies addresses this challenge by developing a range of zero-emission high-speed vessels, with the EF-24 passenger ferry as one example, capable of reducing carbon emissions by approximately 3,700 tons per year compared to conventional ferries.2,4
eFoiler®: Artemis Patented Hydrofoil Technology
Artemis Technologies has advanced traditional hydrofoil technology by developing its proprietary enhanced system, the eFoiler®, which integrates electric propulsion and autonomous control to create high-speed, zero-emission maritime vessels. The system draws energy from a marinized high-voltage 800 V battery, with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender currently in development.
Its unique hydrofoil design employs high-aspect-ratio foils with replaceable leading edges, optimizing lift generation while providing practical maintenance solutions. The foils lift the vessel completely above water, reducing hydrodynamic drag by up to 86% compared with displacement operation. This drag reduction enables 90% lower energy consumption than conventional ferries while maintaining equivalent speed performance.
The autonomous flight control system manages the vessel's attitude during foiling operations, automatically controlling ride height, roll, and pitch. This system functions similarly to aircraft autopilot technology, allowing pilots to focus on navigation and speed control. The aft hydrofoil provides steering control through propulsion and incorporates thrusters for low-speed maneuvering.5,6
Target Markets and Applications
The eFoiler® technology addresses multiple maritime sectors through vessel configurations tailored to specific operational requirements.
Table 1: Artemis Technologies Product Portfolio
|
Vessel
|
Passenger Capacity
|
Top speed (kt)
|
Cruise Speed (kt)
|
Foiling Range (NM)
|
Unique Aspect
|
|
EF-24 Passenger Ferry
|
150
|
36
|
34
|
70
|
First 100% electric foiling passenger ferry for commercial operations; designed to revolutionize urban water mobility.
|
|
EF-12 Pilot Boat
|
4
|
30
|
25
|
47
|
Developed with pilot operators; optimized through real-world trials for safe and efficient ship-to-ship transfers.
|
|
EF-20H Patrol Boat
|
15
|
40
|
32
|
644
|
Hybrid patrol platform with retractable foils and emission-free silent patrolling in sensitive zones.
|
|
EF-24 Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV)
|
24
|
36
|
30
|
70
|
Purpose-built for the offshore wind industry; prioritises crew comfort and stability using Artemis simulator and sea-trial data.
|
Collaborations and Industry Adoption
Artemis Technologies’ electric foiling vessels are attracting strong adoption through strategic collaborations with leading maritime operators. These partnerships emphasize the technology's commercial readiness and potential to reshape multiple segments of the maritime transport sector.
A landmark agreement with Red Funnel Ferries will see the introduction of the EF-24, the world’s first large-scale electric foiling passenger ferry, on the Southampton–Cowes route by 2026.
The vessel is designed to carry 150 passengers and combines advanced hydrofoil architecture with modular battery propulsion, reducing hydrodynamic drag and optimizing energy efficiency. Performance assessments indicate that the EF-24 will achieve annual carbon dioxide savings of approximately 3,700 tons compared with conventional high-speed ferries.
Although initial capital expenditure is greater, anticipated reductions in operating costs of nearly £1 million per year support long-term economic viability without requiring an increase in passenger fares.1
In parallel, a partnership with the Port of Tyne has initiated the development of the EF-12, the United Kingdom’s first fully electric foiling pilot vessel. This craft will facilitate the transfer of maritime pilots onto cargo ships, delivering zero-emission operations while enhancing ride stability and efficiency. The EF-12 supports the Port’s ambition to achieve a net-zero pilotage service and aligns with national objectives under the Maritime 2050 strategy.7
These collaborations illustrate growing confidence in electric foiling vessels as a commercially viable and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional maritime transport.
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
Artemis Technologies’ electric foiling vessels redefine high-speed maritime transport by combining efficiency, sustainability, and dependable performance.
The technology tackles key challenges in the sector, including environmental compliance, operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and route flexibility.
Several transport operators have partnered with Artemis to commission more electric foiling vessels—an encouraging signal of growing confidence in the technology’s commercial potential. These collaborations aim to strengthen inter-island connectivity while advancing decarbonization goals for vital transport networks.
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With environmental regulations tightening and operational costs climbing, zero-emission solutions like those from Artemis are becoming increasingly essential. Their adoption will significantly accelerate the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable maritime transport worldwide.
References and Further Reading
- Speare-Cole, R. (2025, May 28). Ferry firm hails “new era” of flying electric boats in UK. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/ferry-firm-hails-new-era-of-flying-electric-boats-in-uk-b2759442.html
- Artemis Technologies. (2025). Future of clean maritime transport. https://www.artemistechnologies.co.uk/
- Speranza, D., Papa, S., Pensa, C., Di Bernardo, R. (2024). Hydrofoil Technology: Current Applications and Future Developments for Sustainable Boating. In: Carfagni, M., Furferi, R., Di Stefano, P., Governi, L., Gherardini, F. (eds) Design Tools and Methods in Industrial Engineering III. ADM 2023. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52075-4_38
- OECD. (2025). Maritime transport CO2 emissions. https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets/maritime-transport-co2-emissions.html
- John Cumming & Dr. Stephen Colbert. (2024). Decarbonising Maritime. https://hrf.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10-1-Artemis-Smart-Mobility-Presentation-Deck-HRF.pdf
- Artemis Technologies. (2025). Artemis efoiler® - The world's first commercially viable, zero emission propulsion solution for high speed maritime transport. https://www.artemistechnologies.co.uk/efoiler/
- Artemis Technologies. (2025). Port of Tyne Partners with Artemis Technologies and Invests in UK’s First Fully Electric Foiling Pilot Boat. https://www.artemistechnologies.co.uk/news/port-of-tyne-partners-with-artemis-technologies-and-invests-in-uks-first-fully-electric-foiling-pilot-boat/
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