Belfast-based maritime design firm Artemis Technologies has announced a joint venture with Denmark’s Tuco Marine Group to produce the world’s first zero emissions workboat.
The collaboration will involve integrating Tuco Marine Group’s new electric eFoiler propulsion system into an 11m carbon fibre demonstrater vessel. It will serve as proof of concept for the technology that will be marketed to the marine trade by the two businesses.
The hydrofoils and propulsion system for the proof of concept vessel will be manufactured and assembled in Belfast Harbour, following a multi-million-pound investment in the project.
Artemis Technologies’ chief executive is Iain Percy OBE, double Olympic Gold medallist and veteran of four America’s Cup challenges. He said: “This Joint Venture with Tuco Marine Group will introduce our unique foiling solutions to the workboat market which could now benefit from zero emissions and fuel savings of up to 90%.
“Last year when we announced our plans to create a new advanced manufacturing facility in Belfast, we laid out our commitment to developing technology that will decarbonise maritime and plans for the development of an ‘autonomous sailing vessel’. This electric foiling technology is the next natural stage of this project and a step in the right direction to realising our vision.
“As the first ever electric foiling solution for vessels, this is a truly transformative project and it is incredibly exciting to be part of one of the solutions to climate change.
“The technology is perfect for those requiring high speed vessels with minimal environmental impact. Initially targeted at the Aquaculture, Off Shore Energy, Water Taxi, Leisure and Defence sectors, the proof of concept for the technology will provide an immediate route to market.
RELATED: Belfast Harbour investment drive to create 10,500 jobs and boost economy
“Integrating our new electric eFoiler propulsion system into a composite autonomously controlled hydrofoil presents a scalable solution that can be applied to much larger vessels such as high-speed passenger ferries.
“Belfast’s rich maritime history provides the perfect setting to play a role in the development of such technology and we’re incredibly excited as to what this project will mean for our future as a company and in Northern Ireland.”
In March it was revealed that the Artemis Technologies-led bid - “Decarbonisation of Maritime Transportation – a Return to Commercial Sailing” – was the only application from Northern Ireland and from the maritime industry to be selected for the next stage of the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund.
Recipients of the major seed corn programme will be announced in spring 2020 and if successful, the Belfast Maritime Consortium will receive more than £30m towards its plans to decarbonise maritime transportation.
Since its establishment in 1998, Tuco Marine Group’s aim has been developing the industry towards more environmentally sustainable vessels.
The company’s managing director, Jonas Pederson added: “Whilst Tuco Marine has the knowledge and technology to build carbon fibre vessels, getting these boats foiling is a significant stride in reducing emissions on the water.
“Our lightweight structures are built for speed and even with this new technology, this is not compromised. We look forward to continuing our Joint Venture with Artemis Technology and marketing this technology to industries for which workboats are essential.”
Artemis Technologies was founded in 2017 to utilise the intellectual property developed from over a decade of high-performance yacht racing and America’s Cup competition by its sister company, Artemis Racing. Outside of Belfast, the company has a base in Burnham, just outside London.
