VIDEO: Port of Rotterdam Authority pilots electric hydrofoil vessel

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has begun trialling a fully electric hydrofoil patrol vessel as part of a pilot scheme for its fleet renewal program.

For the scheme, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is leasing an Artemis EF-12 Workboat from Artemis Technologies. The new hydrofoil patrol vessel will operate on the waters of the Nieuwe Maas and has been named RPA Zero in reference to its zero emissions capability. As the vessel accelerates, the hull of a hydrofoil lifts clear of the water, reducing drag and wave impact while increasing energy efficiency.

Assessing opportunities and risks 

The pilot scheme will run until November 2025. In the coming months, tests will be conducted to assess the applications, opportunities and risks of hydrofoil vessels within the fleet. The fleet renewal and sustainability program team, alongside the crew and asset managers, will evaluate sailing behavior, vessel reliability, the benefits and challenges of electric power and charging, as well as the vessel’s suitability for the Harbour Master’s Division’s tasks.

Fleet renewal

Over the next 12 years, the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s vessels will reach the end of their technical service life. The authority is seizing this opportunity to renew its entire fleet, enhance sustainability and standardize and simplify maintenance processes.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority’s executive board has expressed its ambition to make the new fleet as emission-free as possible, thereby contributing to a more sustainable port. To support port operations, the vessels must be deployable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rapid response

Herman Verweij, manager of maritime and environmental safety at the Harbour Master’s Division, explained, “We aim to be the smartest port, increasingly using modern tools in our enforcement and monitoring tasks. We also want to be the most sustainable port, but in case of incidents, we must be able to respond rapidly on the water. Consider the minimal impact of wave action and the exceptional stability, even in rough waters. We are therefore enthusiastic about exploring whether and how electric hydrofoils can complement our range of deployable resources.”

“Collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how our Artemis EF-12 Workboat can contribute to decarbonizing port operations,” commented Dr Iain Percy OBE, CEO of Artemis Technologies. “We are glad to be supporting one of the most integral ports in all of Europe with its efforts to achieve the ambitious sustainability goals it has set, while maintaining the highest of safety and efficiency standards.”

In related news, Neural Concept’s 3D AI platform – now featuring Nvidia Omniverse Blueprint – was recently used to design a new hydrofoil for the SP80 sailboat. The Nvidia Omniverse Blueprint creates real-time computer-aided engineering digital twins to assist in product creation. Click here to read the full story