Hydrofoil demonstrator boat delivered to Scotland's Orkney Islands

Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies has delivered a fully electric hydrofoil vessel to the Orkney Islands in Scotland as part of a UK Government-funded demonstration project.

The workboat, named Zevi 1, is a variant of an earlier Artemis Technologies hydrofoil demonstrator that entered service in 2022.

The project aims to demonstrate the benefits of electric-powered hydrofoil workboats and passenger ferries to service some of the inter-isle routes in Orkney.

Artemis Technologies' partners on the project are local operator Orkney Ferries and research institute the European Marine Energy Centre.

Zevi 1 will be put into service for a three-year long trial that will connect the Orkney towns of Kirkwall, Shapinsay, Egilsay, Wyre and Rousay on four daily rotations.

Over the coming months, extensive data will be collected to measure the vessel’s efficiency and operational performance. Artemis Technologies said the insights that will be gained from these trials will validate the technology and support wider adoption of maritime technology that will enable zero local emission operations throughout Orkney.

Accompanying Zevi 1 in Orkney is the installation of an ultra-fast charger in Kirkwall, which will provide a full charge to the 12-metre vessel in under 60 minutes.

With a passenger capacity of 12, the workboat uses Artemis Technologies' proprietary electric foiling solution to significantly reduce emissions, operating costs, and noise pollution, while providing a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Artemis Technologies will also deliver a 24-passenger hydrofoil boat to Orkney as part of the project.