Before we dive in, Boating New Zealand would like to congratulate the team at Vessev on winning the internationally renowned Red Dot Award — a true mark of excellence in design.
New Zealand-based electric boat innovator Vessev has just scored a major international design coup. Its flagship hydrofoiling electric vessel, the VS–9, has been awarded a prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design 2025 — a significant win not only for the company but for Aotearoa’s growing reputation in marine innovation.
The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most respected global accolades in the design world. Judged by a panel of international experts, the awards recognise products that combine functionality, innovation, and aesthetics to a high standard. Winning a Red Dot is a stamp of design excellence, and for Vessev, it signals that their work is making waves well beyond our shores.
At a glance, the VS–9 is a head-turner. Its sharp, minimalist lines, expansive glass panels, and low-slung form look more like a Scandinavian concept yacht than a workhorse commuter vessel. But this is no show pony. Underneath the sleek exterior is a carefully engineered commercial passenger boat capable of carrying ten passengers at up to 30 knots — and it does so without a drop of petrol.
Powered by electric propulsion and lifted above the water on retractable hydrofoils, the VS–9 delivers a quiet, efficient, and low-wake ride. It offers up to 50 nautical miles of zero-emissions range, making it a viable option for short-haul ferry services and eco-conscious tourism operators.
This isn’t just theory either. Fullers360 — Auckland’s largest ferry operator — is already using the VS–9 in commercial trials, marking a world-first for a certified electric hydrofoiling vessel in tourism operations. That’s an achievement that places New Zealand at the forefront of maritime sustainability.
According to the Red Dot jury, what set the VS–9 apart wasn’t just its technology, but how design was used to express and enable performance. The jury noted the vessel’s “functional simplicity and clean visual identity”, elements that speak to the stripped-back cabin interior and seamless exterior lines.
For Vessev, design is more than aesthetics. It’s a tool to make high performance accessible and intuitive. Drawing inspiration from the automotive world — where weight, drag, and user experience are key concerns — the VS–9 blends utility with elegance. Every surface, angle, and material is there for a reason.
The hull is carbon fibre for lightweight strength. The foils retract to allow easy docking and shallow water manoeuvring. The electric drivetrain reduces operational costs and environmental impact. Even the layout of the seating and windows is optimised for both passenger comfort and visibility.
This Red Dot recognition isn’t just a design nod. It validates a larger shift happening in the marine industry: a move towards clean technology and smarter boatbuilding. Where once electric boats were niche or underpowered, companies like Vessev are proving they can be fast, practical, and profitable — while looking damn good doing it.
With demand growing for low-emission transport and tourism solutions worldwide, Vessev is in the right place at the right time. The VS–9’s success may soon pave the way for larger vessels and expanded services, especially across harbours and short inter-island routes.
As local councils and operators search for sustainable transport models, homegrown options like the VS–9 offer a glimpse of a cleaner, quieter marine future — one that’s designed and built right here in New Zealand.
