Vessev’s electric hydrofoil arrives in Europe

The VS-9 is an extraordinary mode of transport, as it is one of the first electric boats worldwide to use hydrofoiling technology. This technology, popularised in 2013 by the New Zealand team in the America’s Cup, inspired the founders of Vessev to establish the company in Auckland.

Thanks to hydrofoiling, the VS-9, designed as a catamaran, does not float through the water like a conventional boat but glides above it on carbon fibre hydrofoils. This allows high speeds: the VS-9 can reach 25 knots (46.3 kph) and accommodate ten passengers.

Following the first customer delivery last December r to New Zealand ferry operator Fullers360, Vessev has now announced its first European customer: Finn Lough, known for its natural surroundings and unique “bubble domes.” The domes, located in a private forest, can accommodate two guests and, with their transparent windows, allow guests to sleep under the stars.

Michael Beare, co-owner of Finn Lough, said the VS-9 exemplifies Finn Lough’s “wildly refined” philosophy: “Partnering with Vessev allows us to offer a form of travel that connects people more deeply to a place, and that carries a sense of story, not just movement. It captures our core belief in the beauty of contrast: pairing the untamed beauty of the lake with a thoughtfully designed, elevated way to explore it.” The VS-9 blends seamlessly into its surroundings and offers guests an elegant alternative to road transport between remote points on the lake.

Vessev CEO Eric Laakmann added that the VS-9 is a logical extension of Finn Lough’s offering: “The boat’s design and technology is configured to enhance a passenger’s experience of the natural world. A flight on the VS–9 is smooth, silent, creates very little wake, and produces no on-board emissions. There’s nothing getting between you and that tranquility that guests come to Finn Lough to find.”

The VS-9 is scheduled to arrive at Finn Lough in 2026. Laakmann told Radio New Zealand that the company now has orders from three continents and expects more soon. Within a year, he hopes Vessev can manufacture a VS-9 in just five weeks. The team has grown from 14 to 45 employees in the past year.

Vessev is not the only company specialising in electric hydrofoils. Swedish manufacturer Candela developed the P-12, which carries up to 30 passengers and has been used in Stockholm’s public transport system since October 2024. Like the VS-9, Candela’s P-12 reaches a top speed of 25 knots.

Source: Info via email, rnz.co.nz

This article was first published by Florian Treiß for electrive’s German edition.