Artemis Technologies, a global leader in green shipping innovation, has just released its first photos of a prototype of its 100% electric high-speed hydrofoil workboat in Belfast Lough.
The ship's design and construction includes production-spec drivetrain, battery and flight control components that consumers will eventually see in the finished workboat. With the big target set for 2022, this announcement takes Artemis Technologies another step closer to providing high-speed, zero-emission maritime transportation to the masses.
The 11.5-metre-long workboat, called pioneer of Belfast, is powered by the revolutionary Artemis eFoiler® system, which enables the prototype to fly on water using far less energy than traditional workboats that have also developed high-speed charging technology.
Artemis eFoiler® system
The prototype vessel was launched from the company's research and manufacturing facilities in the Port of Belfast and is currently undergoing offshore trials to verify that its technical capabilities match the company's digital dual simulations, while Artemis Technologies' small workboats will be launched next month.
The company, a subsidiary of the America's Cup Artemis Regatta Team, has attracted significant UK government and private investment and partnered with Northern Ireland organisations to help achieve a sustainable maritime future.
Iain Percy, two-time Olympic sailing gold medalist and CEO of Artemis Technologies, said: "When champagne was broken on the bow of the ship and the Belfast Pioneer was launched for the first time, this was a truly cheerful moment for our dedicated Artemis staff.
"Over the past five years, we have brought together experts from the motorsport, aerospace and high performance racing yachting sectors who have worked closely with local talent to create the first of its kind that will capitalize on Belfast's rich maritime history and turn the city into a hub for green shipbuilding."
Romain Ingouf, Technical Director at Artemis, said: "We have been documenting the performance of the workboat and its petrol-powered sister boat. The first day of our hydrofoil was met with a 25 knot northeast wind and the sea conditions were very complicated. While we simulated both boats very accurately, the performance and ride comfort were still stunning.
Integrate the drivetrain into the "T" section of the underwater hydrofoil plate without the need to install the drive shaft in the vertical structure. This not only improves the efficiency of the mechanical system, but also means that the hydrofoils are very efficient and do not generate wakes when running at high speeds
"We are measuring energy efficiency, ride comfort, wake generation and, of course, tracking the sister boat's energy consumption at different speeds in a variety of weather conditions. Lake Belfast is the perfect testing ground. This homogeneous test allows us to quantify the various commercial and operational benefits of the Artemis eFoiler® system, as well as the emission savings from the 100% electric Belfast Pioneer.
David Tyler, Commercial Director of Artemis Technologies, commented: "This prototype vessel is the first in the commercial workboat space and is the world's largest electric hydrofoil." Pioneer Belfast has received regulatory approval to obtain a UK LoadLine Exemption Certificate through an equivalence, rigorous risk assessment and mitigation strategy, in compliance with the UK Maritime and Coast Guard (MCA) workboat code.
"We are now in a critical period not only for Artemis Technologies' business, but also for the future of maritime transport." Vanguard is just the beginning, and we are developing several high-speed, zero-emission vessels that will transform the commercial workboat and city-to-city passenger ferry industry in the coming decades. ”