Artemis Technologies has launched to market the world’s first commercially viable 100% electric, high-speed foiling workboat range.
Developed in Belfast, the zero-emission vessels are dubbed the greenest workboats in the world and represent a £12 million investment in research and development. With a top speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles at 25 knots cruise speed, the vessels produce energy savings of up to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuel workboats, the company said in a statement.
Powered by Artemis eFoiler propulsion system, the workboats ‘fly’ silently above the water, giving a comfortable gliding experience no matter the sea conditions and creating a minimal wake, making them an ideal solution for traditionally busy waterways.
Aimed specifically at the global workboat and crew transfer market, Artemis Technologies’ electric foiling workboat range ensures robustness and reliability that has been developed and tested on the world’s most advanced marine digital twin simulator located in Belfast.
The company, which currently employs 60 people, is developing a range of green transport solutions which it anticipates will create 1,000 jobs over the next decade.
Artemis Technologies is a spin-off from the Artemis Racing team that competed in the America’s Cup of which its founder, two-time Olympic champion Dr Iain Percy is a four-time veteran.
He said: “Combining our experience from the worlds of high-performance sailing, motorsports and advanced manufacturing, the electric propulsion system that we’ve designed and developed is an absolute game-changer for the industry in terms of range, cost savings and minimal wake created.
“With hydrofoils that lift the boats out of the water, we are dramatically reducing drag. This is coupled with a submerged electric drivetrain that is exceptionally efficient, as proven through rigorous testing with our partners, confirming what we had discovered through our own onshore digital simulations.
Dr Percy added that the ride comfort of a hydrofoil vessel through a large seaway has to be experienced to be believed. It offers a smooth journey in whatever the sea state is and will allow engineers in crew transfer vessels or port operations to get to their destination in full comfort.
“With the global small boat market worth US$70 billion, we are immensely proud to launch our first range of zero-emission vessels for the workboat sector, from which we have already received significant pre-market interest.
“This is a hugely significant milestone not only for us but in global decarbonisation efforts with the International Maritime Organization requiring emissions to be halved by 2050,” he added.
Artemis Technologies’ full workboat range includes an 11.5-meter multi-purpose workboat and a 12-meter crew transfer vessel. A 24-meter crew transfer vessel is also currently under development.
The launch comes as a new Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report, commissioned by Maritime UK, puts the economic impact of UK maritime at £116 billion. The Northern Ireland’s maritime industry directly contributes more than £2 billion to the UK economy, a bigger impact than Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber combined.
Maritime UK chair Sarah Kenny said: “As an island nation, maritime surrounds all of us, and its impact is felt in every community across the UK. We saw that during the pandemic, through the provision of vital supplies, and we are seeing it now as we bounce back. With maritime driving the net-zero agenda and providing skilled jobs in all corners of the country.
“Artemis Technologies’ launch today shows our heritage as maritime pioneers will continue long into the future. But continued collaboration with government, and investment, will be the key to realising our full potential.”
