Candela P-12 Business offers lounge-style passenger experience through reduced motion and acoustic impact
Electric vessel manufacturer Candela has announced the commissioning of its first Candela P-12 Business hydrofoil vessel, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of high-speed, zero-emission passenger transport.
The vessel was officially commissioned last Friday at Frihamnen in Stockholm and is now set for delivery to customers in Mumbai, where it will enter service to provide possibly the biggest upgrade ever to water transfers.
Boat transfer has long been the weakest link in premium travel—passengers step off comfortable aircraft only to board noisy, wave-pounding speedboats, where roaring outboards and rough seas often leave them arriving at their dream destination with shaky legs and seasickness.
The Swedish next-generation shipbuilder Candela has solved this elegantly by re-engineering the whole concept of water travel. Instead of smashing through the waves, the Candela P-12 Business’ computer-aided hydrofoil system, with underwater wings, raises the hull above the waves, eliminating discomfort and noise with digital precision – pairing it with an acoustically insulated premium interior.
Flying at a cruise speed of 25 knots, the P-12 has a range of 40 nautical miles – making it the fastest and longest-range electric hospitality transfer vessel in serial production – and, above all, a revolution in silent transport.
During commissioning trials in Stockholm, cabin noise levels were measured at just 63-64 dB during cruise – exceptionally silent for a high speed craft. For comparison, passenger areas on modern ferries often range between 65 and 75 dB, while a high-speed express train typically operates at around 70–75 dB. First class cabins on aircraft are louder still. Because decibels are logarithmic, a 10 dB reduction is perceived as roughly halving the loudness, meaning the P-12 Business cabin, to the human ear, is more akin to a quiet lounge than to any conventional mode of transport.
The comparison to the conventional speedboats the P-12 Business is replacing is even more striking. These typically operate at 85–95 dB—several times louder to the human ear—turning the transfer into a noisy, fatiguing experience.
“The P-12 Business experience merges tech and interior craftsmanship — we’ve engineered comfort into the ride itself. It is more akin to sitting in a quiet lounge than being on a fast vessel. Here, the transfer becomes a highlight in its own right,” says Gustav Hasselskog, Candela’s CEO and Founder.
The 16 (up to 20) passenger Business vessel uses Candela’s tried-and-tested P-12 platform, which has been hailed as a game-changer in Stockholm’s public transport, and adds a a sound-proofed, premium Business-class interior, with thick carpets, comfortable seats, and powerful AC system. With a roomy lavatory, Wi-Fi, and a coffee bar, paired with panoramic views, the experience is closer to gliding across the water in a lounge than conventional high-speed travel.
“It is a surreal experience to sip coffee, converse with fellow passengers, and take in the views while travelling at 25 knots over the waves—without hearing or feeling them. If there ever was a magic carpet, we’ve made it,” says Gustav Hasselskog.
Passengers—including those with wheelchairs and strollers—board easily via a wide, stabilized, adjustable ramp. Every seat features built-in USB-C charging ports and ample legroom, while luggage is conveniently stored in two compartments aft. During night trips, the ‘Star Ceiling’ ambient light canopy provides dynamic lighting, enhancing the serene onboard atmosphere.
Hospitality water transfers are a large and growing global market, driven by the rise of coastal and island tourism. From the Maldives and Caribbean to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, thousands of daily resort journeys still rely on noisy, fuel-intensive speedboats.
The first P-12 Business vessels will operate in the Maldives, Saudi Arabia, and Mumbai, on routes such as Gateway of India to Navi Mumbai’s new airport, replacing today’s wooden diesel ferries and providing a much-needed express service.
At the same time, the zero-emission P-12 Business delivers a major environmental upgrade. When foiling, the vessel uses up to 80% less energy than conventional ships, reducing operational costs and making it highly attractive for operators to switch to sustainable fleets. It generates virtually no wake and significantly reduces underwater noise, easing the strain on sensitive marine environments—such as coral reefs and coastal ecosystems.
“It’s a win-win vessel. A vastly better experience, and it has a profound positive impact on the marine ecosystems where it operates. Water transport is about to get its greatest upgrade ever,” says Gustav Hasselskog.
