The growing international demand for high-speed foiling ferries has resulted in the New Zealand specialist Vessev opening its first office in North America

Vessev has announced that it will be opening an office in the US to oversee the production of its foiling electric ferries and to develop and streamline the company’s business development. The US operation will be headed by Josh Trout, although so far there is no information as to where the operation will be headquartered.

Although currently in a commercial ferry version, the Vessev VS-9 is also being developed as a leisure variant.

Although currently in a commercial ferry version, the Vessev VS-9 is also being developed as a leisure variant.

The Vessev VS-9 is described as the world’s first vehicle of its kind, a ‘premium electric vessel built to commercial standards for the most demanding applications.’ The company says that operating costs can be cut by as much as 90%, whilst the large wraparound windows and ‘thoughtful design allow the interior to connect seamlessly with the exterior. These attributes also lend themselves to a leisure version, which the company says is coming soon. In the meantime, it is inviting potential customers to discuss the pricing, customisation and specific requirements of either a leisure or commercial project.

The foils can retract, making this design ideal as a superyacht tender.

The foils can retract, making this design ideal as a superyacht tender.

As a yacht or fast tender, the VS-9 has plenty of attributes. The catamaran design has a length of 8.95m and a beam of 3.1, with a draft that varies between 0.5m and 1.5m, depending on the foil deployment. The foils, with advanced flight control, have been developed from work with the America’s Cup event, and the hull can carry 10 passengers plus the skipper and crew at a cruising speed of between 22-25 knots. Top speed is 30 knots. The range is 40-50 nautical miles per charge, with a recharge rate of up to 0.8NM per minute. The commercial cabin version weighs 3,100kg and can foil in waves of up to 0.75m.

The foiling system was developed from the Admiral’s Cup applications and can support the 8.95m vessel in 0.75m waves and a top speed of 30 knots.

The foiling system was developed from the Admiral’s Cup applications and can support the 8.95m vessel in 0.75m waves and a top speed of 30 knots.

Josh Trout

US Sales Director Josh Trout said “I’ve worked at the cutting edge of marine technology for over 20 years, and the innovation and forethought of Vessev’s unique hydrofoiling technology is unparalleled. I have complete confidence that I can support the company’s US growth strategy with both sales and extending our reach in international markets. We are also exploring the opportunities to build our state-of-the-art vessels in the US, which will both create jobs and set the foundations for our service and support business in the US.”

https://www.vessev.com

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