Swedish electric boat maker Candela is the latest company to offer fully electric pleasure craft and ferries in Singapore, at its Asia-Pacific debut at the Singapore Yachting Festival 2024 on Thursday (Apr 25).

The electric pleasure craft industry in Singapore is still nascent with only a handful of such craft here, industry experts told The Business Times.

At least one other company, Sunreef, has been selling electric and hybrid diesel-electric pleasure craft here since late 2023 through dealer Hong Seh Marine.

But the difference is that Candela has already reached mass production, with around 170 craft on order and around 50 delivered globally, said its chief executive officer for the Asia-Pacific region Bjorn Antonsson.

The company sees potential in Singapore’s market for recreational vessels and harbour craft, such as ferries, he told BT.

“Singapore is the financial and maritime capital of the region, and we are impressed with how progressive the authorities are here, in terms of maritime electrification such as with harbour craft,” he said.

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The company has appointed one dealer in the region – Carbon Yachts in Australia – and is looking to appoint more, including in Singapore. The C-8 will be sold directly until dealers are appointed.

The Candela C-8 TT, a recreational power boat, is on display at the Singapore Yachting Festival, which runs from Apr 25 to 28. The company is offering demonstration rides after the show at ONE°15 Marina from Apr 29 to May 1.

Candela is also seeking buyers for its ferry, the P-12, which can carry up to 30 people. As a commercial model, Candela will sell the P-12 directly to clients.

Established in 2014, the company set up its regional headquarters in Bangkok in January 2024, and has opened order books in the region since February 2024.

Candela’s boats are hydrofoils that run on an underwater wing, with the body of the boat suspended above the water.

This reduces drag and gives the C-8 a range of around 60 nautical miles per charge, which Candela claims is up to three times as far as electric boats with conventional hulls.

However, it cannot match the range of normal diesel-powered boats, which can usually travel at least 150 nautical miles before refuelling.

But the C-8 does not emit pollution, is quieter, and offers a smoother ride with less turbulence compared to normal diesel boats, said Antonsson.

The C-8 uses battery technology from Swedish electric vehicle brand Polestar. With direct-current fast charging, it can be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 35 minutes.

Candela says the boat can be charged using the electrical sources available at most marinas.

The P-12 is undergoing testing as a public ferry in Stockholm, Sweden.

The company says because of its efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements, it can halve running costs compared to a diesel-powered ferry.

In Singapore, Shell’s electric ferry service to Pulau Bukom for its personnel began last year, while trials of electric harbour craft – including the Singapore-made Pyxis One – started in 2024.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target for net-zero emissions for the maritime industry by or around 2050.

A spokesperson for maritime classification society DNV said: “While the IMO strategy primarily focuses on commercial ships and does not explicitly mention pleasure craft, the overall goal of reducing emissions applies to the entire maritime industry including pleasure craft.”