By Staff Report
Updated and Expanded Feature
Main Facts
The future of urban water transit is quietly rising above the waves. On a brisk morning on New York City’s East River, a new breed of marine transportation is making its case. The vehicle is the VS-9, an all-electric, surface-skimming hydrofoil ferry developed by the innovative maritime startup Vessev.
Measuring roughly 30 feet in length, the VS-9 bridges the gap between conventional marine transit and cutting-edge aerospace engineering. From a distance, it resembles a modern catamaran. However, beneath its twin hulls lies a sophisticated system of wing-like hydrofoils paired with computer-controlled underwater flaps. As the vessel accelerates, these foils lift the entire hull clear of the water, dramatically reducing hydrodynamic drag, eliminating the traditional slapping and bouncing of standard boats, and offering passengers a ride quality more akin to a high-end sports car than a public commuter ferry.
Vessev, which recently closed a $19 million Series A funding round, is positioning the VS-9 as a foundational tool to reshape urban mass transit, alleviate congested city roadways, and drastically lower the carbon footprint of marine transport. Capable of carrying a full passenger load for up to 40 nautical miles (approximately 46 miles or 74 kilometers) on a single charge, the VS-9 utilizes commoditized commercial EV batteries and charges via standard electric vehicle infrastructure, signaling a pragmatic approach to commercial scalability.
Chronology
The journey toward modern commercial hydrofoils has been a long one, spanning more than a century of maritime experimentation.
- Late 19th to 20th Century: Shipbuilders and inventors worldwide began experimenting with hydrofoil designs, recognizing their theoretical potential to minimize drag and achieve higher speeds by lifting hulls out of the water. While military applications and niche high-speed ferries found some success, high manufacturing costs, mechanical complexity, and heavy fuel consumption kept hydrofoils from entering mainstream commercial fleets.
- Recent Years: The global push toward decarbonization and the rapid commoditization of high-density battery technology breathed new life into electric marine mobility. Startups began revisiting hydrofoil concepts, realizing that lifting an electric boat out of the water is critical to maximizing efficiency and extending range.
- August (Recent): Vessev secured a critical milestone by closing a $19 million Series A funding round, providing the financial runway necessary to transition its technology from prototype development toward commercialization and market introduction.
- Present Day: Vessev is actively demonstrating the VS-9 in key waterways—such as recent test runs spanning from the Brooklyn Marina out toward Governors Island in New York City. The company is laying the groundwork for commercial deployments targeting transit agencies, tour operators, and luxury hospitality providers.
Supporting Data & Technical Specifications
The engineering behind the VS-9 highlights a meticulous approach to efficiency, energy conservation, and operational flexibility. Because every kilowatt-hour is precious in an electric vessel, minimizing drag is paramount.
- Vessel Length: Approximately 30 feet (9.1 meters).
- Range: Up to 40 nautical miles (46 miles / 74 kilometers) under a full passenger load.
- Lift Distribution: Roughly 80% of the vessel’s lift is managed by the forward foil, while the rear foil handles the remaining 20%.
- Propulsion: Housed within the rear foil is an in-house-designed electric motor. Vessev chose to manufacture its own motors to control long-term production costs, outsourcing only the battery packs, which co-founder Eric Laakmann notes have been largely commoditized by the broader EV market.
- Operational Limits: The hydrofoil design is optimized for protected waterways such as rivers, bays, and lakes. The VS-9 can comfortably clear waves up to 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) while foiling. Waves exceeding this height begin to impact the hull, reducing the ultra-smooth ride quality and decreasing overall energy efficiency.
- Infrastructure Adaptability: To navigate shallow docks and tight port environments, the VS-9 features a retractable rear foil mechanism, allowing it to dock seamlessly in areas with limited water depth. Furthermore, the vessel is engineered to recharge using standard, widely available electric vehicle chargers.
Official Responses and Perspectives
The development and deployment of the VS-9 reflect a clear strategic vision shared by its creators. Eric Laakmann, co-founder and CEO of Vessev, addressed passenger expectations during a recent demonstration ride on the East River.
When asked by reporters, "When will we start flying?" as the craft smoothly transitioned onto its foils, Laakmann simply replied, "We already are."
Laakmann emphasized that Vessev’s decision to bring motor manufacturing in-house was driven by a desire for long-term fiscal discipline. "Eventually, you’ll have to bring production in-house, so why not do it earlier in development?" he noted. Meanwhile, regarding the decision to utilize standard EV battery cells, he remarked, "Those have been commoditized."
Looking toward market integration, Laakmann explained that Vessev is initially targeting transit operators, luxury hotels, and tour companies. He believes the combination of electric propulsion and hydrofoil stabilization can drastically reduce the operational expenditures of running smaller watercraft. Beyond selling complete vessels, Laakmann revealed that Vessev is exploring the future production of electric hydrofoil kits, which would empower independent shipbuilders to design and construct their own custom vessels around Vessev’s proprietary technology.
Implications
The commercialization of electric hydrofoil ferries like the VS-9 carries profound implications for urban planning, municipal infrastructure, and the future of sustainable transportation.
Transforming Urban Commuter Transit
In densely populated coastal or river-bound metropolises like New York City, expanding rail or road networks is exorbitantly expensive and logistically challenging. Cities could leverage existing waterways to connect boroughs—such as zipping commuters directly from Brooklyn or Queens into Manhattan—without requiring billions of dollars in new bridge or tunnel construction. Because the VS-9 produces minimal wake when foiling, it reduces shoreline erosion and disturbance to surrounding marine environments, making it an ideal neighbor in busy urban waterways.
Redefining Efficiency in Electric Marine Mobility
Battery weight and energy density have historically limited the range and viability of electric watercraft. By incorporating active, computer-controlled hydrofoils that lift the hull entirely out of the water, Vessev demonstrates a pathway to bypassing traditional hydrodynamic limitations. This leap in efficiency ensures that electric ferries can achieve commercially viable ranges without requiring impossibly heavy or expensive battery banks.
A Catalyst for Marine Industry Evolution
As Vessev scales its manufacturing capabilities and eyes the potential release of modular hydrofoil kits for third-party shipbuilders, the technology could democratize high-efficiency marine design. If traditional boatbuilders can easily integrate proven foiling systems into their own commercial lines, the global maritime industry could experience a rapid, widespread transition away from fossil-fuel-guzzling combustion engines toward clean, quiet, and exceptionally smooth waterborne mobility.
