Australian ferry and marine tourism operators now can now decarbonise their operations with the help of Candela Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Maritime Emissions Reduction Coalition (MERC).
Candela is redefining waterborne transportation. The Candela P-12 is the world’s first electric commuter ferry with long range at high speed. Combining low operating costs with a minimal environmental impact, the P-12 is better for operator profitability, people and the planet. It has already been successfully integrated into Stockholm’s public transport network, cutting travel times in half for passengers while reducing CO₂ emissions by 95% per passenger kilometre compared to competing diesel ferries!
In marine tourism, Candela’s small, fast, and nimble C-8 vessels offer the potential for smart and versatile utilisations – whether it’s an airport pick-up, snorkelling excursion, beaching, or sunset cruise, the boats will guarantee a memorable experience without leaving a trace.
By joining MERC, the Candela APAC team will promote and impact maritime sustainability in Australia, beyond the projects they are involved in. This impact includes helping create demand in the commercial maritime sector for more sustainable and efficient solutions and advocating with Australian regulators and governments to promote more sustainable maritime transport and remove blockers to novel technologies in domestic commercial vessels.
“MERC promotes maritime electrification for domestic commercial vessels, and particularly the use of innovative techniques, such as the smart hydrofoiling technology used by Candela’s boats around the world. We’ve had over a hundred years of innovation around fossil fuelled vessels, and yet Candela already has commercial options that provide better performance and as-good range. Further innovation promises to help electrification become a solution for larger ships as well as a greater range of operations,” says Angus McDonald, MERC co-founder and Chair.
“Joining MERC aligns perfectly with Candela’s mission to revolutionize waterborne transport with sustainable and efficient solutions. Australia’s vast waterways present a huge opportunity for clean, high-performance electric vessels, and we are excited to contribute to this transition alongside MERC,” says Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela.
As electrical supply becomes cleaner and more renewable, maritime operators will find the advantages of lower maintenance, lower operating expense, and a significantly quieter and more agreeable customer experience compelling. MERC aims to prepare Australia’s domestic industry to build, maintain, and supply maritime electrification solutions for local vessel operators and the burgeoning global market.
About Candela
Candela is a Swedish tech company with a mission to accelerate the shift to fossil fuel-free waterways. Its pioneering hydrofoiling technology drastically reduces energy consumption of vessels, enabling Candelas to achieve the elusive combination of long range and high speed on battery power.
Since launching its first leisure model, the Candela C-7, in 2019, Candela has manufactured over 100 vessels to clients around the world, leading electric boat sales in the U.S. In 2024, Candela introduced the world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry, the Candela P-12, which has been sold to customers in Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Berlin, and the USA.
Candela employs over 200 engineers and staff across offices in Stockholm, Sweden; San Francisco, USA; and Bangkok, Thailand. The current factory is located in Stockholm, with the USA factory is also underway.
Website: https://candela.com/
