Hydrofoils for the Commute

Vessev’s all-electric vessels are designed with fully integrated foil systems that continuously adjust to conditions to provide a smooth ride with minimal wake. Courtesy Vessev

Electric propulsion continues to reshape the marine landscape, this time with a focus on daily transit. New Zealand-based builder Vessev has partnered with Australian venture Fly Derwent to launch a hydrofoiling passenger network on the Derwent River, positioning waterways as a viable layer of urban mobility.

Set to debut in early 2027, the system will rely on Vessev’s electric VS–9 and larger VS–12 models, carrying 10 and up to 30 passengers respectively at cruising speeds of around 25 knots. Designed with fully integrated foil systems that continuously adjust to conditions, the vessels promise a smooth ride with minimal wake, an advantage in environmentally sensitive waterways.

Powered by Tasmania’s nearly 100-percent renewable energy grid, the network is envisioned less as a ferry service and more as a high-frequency, metro-style operation, connecting Hobart’s waterfront without the need for significant new infrastructure.

With additional deployments planned globally, the project signals a broader shift: using clean, high-speed hydrofoils to unlock underutilized waterways and rethink how cities move people on the water.

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