By
Laura Hyde |
Artemis Technologies, Orkney Ferries and the European Marine Energy Centre are to begin sea trials on a fully electric hydrofoil ferry in Orkney, Scotland.The trials will enable the organisations to evaluate the operational performance of Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL, named Zevi 1, before it enters service for Orkney Ferries on a three-year long pilot service connecting Kirkwall in Orkney with the islands of Shapinsay, Egilsay, Wyre and Rousay on four daily rotations.
Over the next few months, the organisations will collect extensive data during Zevi 1’s operations in the hope of validating the technology and encouraging the wider adoption of zero-emission operations throughout Orkney, and beyond. An ultra-fast charger, which will provide a full charge to the 12-metre vessel in under 60 minutes, will also be installed in Kirkwall.
“The arrival of the Artemis Technologies’ hydrofoil vessel is an important moment for Orkney and our community, and one that we’ve all been looking forward to,” said Councillor Mellissa Thomson, chair of the board of Orkney Ferries. “Now the exciting work begins and we can soon see the vessel on the water going through its necessary tests.”
Zevi 1’s arrival is an important milestone in the Electric Orkney project, which aims to demonstrate the benefits of electric-powered hydrofoil workboats and passenger ferries on some of the inter-isle routes in the Orkney Islands, which comprise approximately 70 islands located off the northeastern coast of Scotland. The project aims to support decarbonisation and increase island connectivity. It is partly funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme.
Zevi 1 uses Artemis eFoiler technology, which reduces emissions, operating costs and noise pollution, while providing a smoother, more comfortable experience for passengers, according to Artemis Technologies.
“Bringing the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL to the islands supports Electric Orkney’s ongoing goal of decarbonising transport whilst improving the quality of service for residents and visitors,” said Dr Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies, which is set to deliver a second vessel, Artemis EF-24 Passenger, for the Electric Orkney project.
UK SHORE has allocated over £200 million since 2022 to develop the technologies necessary to decarbonise the UK maritime sector and capture the economic growth opportunity of the transition.
“We’re extremely pleased that another UK SHORE-funded project will now deliver new zero-carbon maritime capabilities, this time in Orkney, a community where ferry transport is a key part of daily life,” said Neale Ryan, head of land and maritime transport at Innovate UK, the main delivery partner of UK SHORE programme. “The Electric Orkney project is yet another example of UK SHORE projects demonstrating the best of home-grown innovation and delivering real value to regions across the UK.”