Chartwell Marine, the UK-based specialist in next-generation vessel design, has launched its much-anticipated electric foiling fast ferry demonstrator, the TriFoiler. Built by Designcraft Ltd, a Southampton-based composite construction specialist, the vessel has now begun sea trials on Southampton Water, marking a major milestone for clean maritime innovation.
Funded through a £1.86 million grant from the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3), the TriFoiler project was delivered on time and within budget. It’s part of the UK SHORE programme (Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions), a Department for Transport initiative delivered by Innovate UK, aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
The TriFoiler is a lightweight trimaran with a fixed main foil and an actuating foiling rudder. This design reduces energy consumption and power demand without compromising speed, a key factor given the lower energy density of electric power compared to traditional fuels. Cleverly, the batteries are located in the sponsons rather than the main hull, maximising usable space for passengers and improving safety.
Andy Page, Managing Director of Chartwell Marine, explained the wider significance of the project: “We believe the future of pure-electric commercial vessels lies in innovative, low-drag hull forms, with or without foils. However, service reliability must come first. Minimising energy usage while ensuring reliability is key to making electric ferries commercially viable.”
Foiling technology has the potential to dramatically extend the range and operational viability of electric vessels, particularly in the passenger ferry sector, where routes are often predictable and conditions consistent. However, as Page points out, wider adoption will depend on the ability to integrate commercially available components, such as standard automotive electric motors, into marine platforms. Rigorous testing, like that now underway, is crucial to tackling the remaining technical hurdles.
The month-long sea trials are designed to test the TriFoiler’s handling, efficiency, and overall performance across a range of sea and weather conditions. The trials will inform whether the concept is ready for commercial scaling. The aim is clear: to move towards a full-scale, 24-metre foiling ferry capable of carrying 40 passengers at speeds up to 28 knots.
Collaboration has been central to the project’s progress. Chartwell Marine has worked closely with Solent University and Newcastle Marine Services to bring the demonstrator to life. According to Neale Ryan, Head of Land and Maritime Transport at Innovate UK, the TriFoiler perfectly embodies the spirit of CMDC funding – putting clean maritime technologies through their paces in real-world conditions.
Chartwell Marine expects to share full findings from the trials at the end of April 2025. These results will shape the next stage of development and could open up opportunities not only for operations around Southampton but also for broader applications in the fast ferry market, both in the UK and internationally.
The TriFoiler stands as a promising step towards a zero-emission future for high-speed passenger ferries – offering a glimpse of what could soon be common sight on busy coastal routes worldwide.
