In a landmark move for sustainable maritime transport, Swedish firm Candela is bringing its hydrofoiling electric vessel, the Candela P‑12, to the Maldives, promising faster, cleaner, seasickness-free transfers from the airport to the remote atolls.
Reef rescue and comfort for tourists
The Maldives’ atolls face a serious threat from the thousands of twin-outboard speedboats that shuttle tourists and locals across the archipelago.
They’re heavy on fuel, produce large wakes, and are responsible for significant reef damage. These traditional gasoline-powered boats burn around 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of fuel per mile (15 times more than a bus), generate large wakes that erode coral, and emit CO₂ emissions that rank among the country’s worst.
Enter the P-12: By flying 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water surface on two computer-controlled hydrofoils, it cuts energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional hulls, enabling long-range electric operation. The vessel produces minimal wake and engine noise, drastically reducing the impact on reef ecosystems and marine life – a critical win for one of the world’s most fragile marine environments.
For vacationers, the change should be dramatic.
The ride inside the P-12 is described as a “magic carpet” experience: an air-conditioned cabin, wi-fi, entertainment screens, refreshment service, stroller and wheelchair access – and thanks to the hydrofoil system and active flight controller, virtually no waves, no slamming hull, and no seasickness.
It’s like flying, but without any turbulence.
Maldives order and deployment
In 2026, a fleet of ten P-12 vessels will begin operating between Malé International Airport and outer-island resorts, managed by operator Ego Shuttle, which has also signed for an additional ten units.
This will be the Maldives’ first electric vessel deployment, and the largest hydrofoil electric fleet in the world, according to the release. The vessels will be assembled, maintained and operated locally, with a logistics hub and green-job training for Maldivian workers.
“Wake and noise impact has been a real problem in many marine sanctuaries around the world. Until now, there have been no real options to electrify waterborne transport, as conventional hulls are simply too inefficient. With the P-12, we finally have a vessel with the range and speed to replace fossil-fuel boats — while minimizing the impact on this unique environment,” says Shabir Walji, CEO of Ego Shuttle.
The Maldives will now join other countries also incorporating the Candela P-12 electric ferry into their own sustainable over-the-water transportation systems, from Thailand to New Zealand, among several others.
Candela was founded just over a decade ago with a mission to design and build faster, more efficient, cleaner boats that outperform fossil-fuel vessels.
The company has become world famous for its signature hydrofoils that lift the hull out of the water, dramatically reducing drag and thereby energy use. I’ve spent some helm time on both the C-7 and C-8, the pair of electric hydrofoil speedboats produced by Candela ahead of their expansion into commercial ferries like the P-12. And as someone who has operated both models, I can attest to how smooth the ride is and how impressive it truly feels to soar over the water.
Candela’s P-12 vessels have already entered service in Stockholm. One of its early pilots, a vessel called Nova, reportedly cut a 15 km route commuting time to 30 minutes, while using 84% less energy per passenger-kilometre compared to the diesel ferry it replaced.
Electrek’s Take
This is a serious step forward – both for island-nation sustainability and for electrifying maritime transport. The Maldives face existential threats from climate change and ecosystem degradation, so reducing boat noise, wakes, and emissions is both environmentally urgent and commercially smart (since tourism depends on those healthy reefs).
In spite of the other major social challenges the country still faces – from limited freedoms for women to broader human rights concerns – it’s encouraging to see real progress on the environmental front. Meaningful climate action doesn’t erase those issues, but it does show that even small nations can take bold technological steps toward a cleaner future.
All told: This looks like a win-win for guests, operators and the environment. I’ll be closely watching how the service performs in 2026 – especially how much of a wake/reef benefit is achieved and how the guest experience compares to typical speedboat transfers. And if the Maldivian operators need someone to come report on the new fleet directly from a white, sandy beach, I’ll see if I can clear my schedule.
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