Zero-emissions Artemis EF-12 ferry begins trials in Orkney

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A fully electric, 12 passenger hydrofoil vessel has been delivered in Orkney as part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme.

Artemis electric hydrofoil vessel arrives In Orkney
Artemis electric hydrofoil vessel arrives In Orkney - Colin Keldie

The deployment of Artemis Technologies’ Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL signals the start of trials to evaluate the vessel’s performance in the operating environment in Orkney. The vessel will then be put into service for a three-year trial that connects Kirkwall with Shapinsay, Egilsay, Wyre and Rousay on four daily rotations.

Over the coming months, data will be collected to measure the vessel’s efficiency and operational performance. Insights gained from these trials will validate the technology and support wider adoption of maritime technology that enables zero-emission operations throughout Orkney and beyond.

Accompanying the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL in Orkney is the installation of an ultra-fast charger in Kirkwall, which will provide a full charge to the 12-metre vessel in under 60 minutes.

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In a statement, Dr Iain Percy, CEO of Belfast-headquartered Artemis Technologies, said: “Bringing the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL to the islands supports Electric Orkney’s ongoing goal of decarbonising transport whilst improving the quality of service for residents and visitors.”

This milestone in the Electric Orkney project marks the delivery of the first of two vessels, with the second, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger, set to follow.

Neale Ryan, head of Land & Maritime Transport at Innovate UK, the main deliver partner of the UK government’s UK SHORE programme, which funds the Electric Orkney project, said: “We’re extremely pleased that another UK SHORE-funded project will now deliver new zero carbon maritime capabilities, this time in Orkney, a community where ferry transport is a key part of daily life.”

The Electric Orkney project is partially funded by the UK government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport.

UK SHORE has allocated over £200m since 2022 to develop the technologies necessary to decarbonise the UK maritime sector and capture the economic growth opportunity of the transition.

 

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