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UK-based maritime design and applied technologies company Artemis Technologies has won the tender to supply the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) with a fully electric pilot boat, marking a crucial milestone in Sweden’s ambition to transition toward fossil-free maritime operations.
As disclosed, the Artemis EF-12 pilot boat is presently being constructed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is set to enter service in spring 2026.
Built from composite material, it is fitted with Artemis Technologies’ eFoiler electric propulsion system, developed to aid the maritime industry with its decarbonization goals. As a result, this move would make the boat the ‘first vessel of its kind’ to be deployed in Nordic waters.
Hydrofoil technology is known to produce minimal to no emissions, owing to the fact that it lifts the hull above the water, reducing drag and optimizing energy usage.
More precisely, according to the company, by flying above the water, eFoiler-propelled vessels produce ‘minimal wake’, allowing for fast, closer-to-shore operations within busy waterways.
Boasting a length of 12.5 meters, a beam of 4.7 meters, a draught of 2.2 meters and a displacement of 11,700 kilograms, the boat will, therefore, likely be able to cut down on the total emissions of the SMA’s pilot transports by about 5%. The pilot boat’s energy consumption at cruising speed will be circa 9 kWh per nautical mile, representing an estimated 85% energy reduction compared to conventional diesel-powered pilot boats operated by the SMA.
“We are excited to deliver a vessel that aligns with Sweden’s bold vision for a fossil-free maritime industry. The Artemis EF-12 Pilot boat will not only be emission-free in operation but will also deliver the high performance, reliability and efficiency needed for such a critical function,” Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies, reiterated.
As understood, the electric pilot boat will operate as part of the SMA’s mission to maintain efficient and sustainable maritime operations. The pilot boat is expected to provide ‘vital’ pilotage services for ships navigating Sweden’s busy offshore shipping lanes, thus remaining in line with the Fossil-Free Sweden initiative and, simultaneously, backing Sweden’s broader national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
“This is certainly a game changer when it comes to electric boats in terms of range and energy efficiency. It is one of many steps for us at SMA to reduce the use of fossil fuels in our operations,” says Erik Eklund, Director General, the SMA.
Over the years, Sweden has initiated a number of programs and projects in order to leap forward with its net-zero targets, independently or in collaboration with other countries.
Stockholm, the capital, saw considerable developments—one such being the Boatplan Stockholm initiative that aims to convert all of the city archipelago’s ferry traffic to a ‘100% emissions-free operation’ using either electricity or hydrogen as fuel.
A notable example within this space happened in 2023 when Norway’s ferry builder Brødrene Aa, compatriot transportation company Torghatten and autonomous solutions provider Zeabuz announced the launch of Stockholm’s 5G- and Internet-of-Things-powered (IoT) MF Estelle—the ‘world’s inaugural’ electric, remote operated ferry.
MF Estelle recently completed a trial in Stockholm, during which it was operated remotely from Trondheim, Norway, a city 600 kilometers away from Sweden’s capital.
Three years ago, the world also saw its ‘first’ methanol-powered pilot boat. It was launched by the Fastwater project, a consortium of Europe’s maritime research and technology leaders committed to demonstrating the feasibility of retrofit and newbuild vessels to operate on methanol.
The scope of the project involved one of the SMA’s pilot boats, which was converted to run on methanol. The 14.4-meter-long boat featured an MD97 engine created by Swedish shipping services provider ScandiNAOS, enabling it to fulfill IMO Tier III requirements and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 75%.
In 2023, a Swedish trio consisting of the SMA, marine design and engine developer ScandiNAOS AB and Chalmers University of Technology launched a project to develop dual-fuel kits for the conversion of new and existing diesel engines to methanol operation.
The project—which was supported through 50% funding by the Swedish program for Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation—saw ScandiNAOS developing and implementing a dual-fuel kit in a pilot boat owned and operated by the SMA.