Orkney Islands, Scotland – 21 May 2025
A pioneering electric hydrofoil vessel has arrived in the Orkney Islands, marking a milestone in the UK’s maritime decarbonisation efforts. Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies delivered the Zevi 1, a fully electric workboat designed to demonstrate the future of zero-emission inter-island transport.
The vessel’s arrival kicks off a three-year demonstration project backed by UK Government funding and delivered in partnership with Orkney Ferries and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
A Leap for Island Maritime Transit
Zevi 1, based on an earlier Artemis hydrofoil that entered service in 2022, will operate four daily rotations between Kirkwall, Shapinsay, Egilsay, Wyre, and Rousay, key transport links in the Orkney archipelago.
With seating for 12 passengers, the sleek 12-metre vessel uses Artemis’s proprietary electric foiling system—a technology that lifts the boat above the water to reduce drag, delivering:
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Dramatically lower emissions
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Reduced operating and fuel costs
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Quieter service for sensitive marine environments
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A smoother, more stable ride in choppy waters
Data-Driven Trials to Shape Green Maritime Future
The Orkney trial will serve as a proving ground for electric hydrofoils in real-world conditions. Over the coming months, the project will collect detailed performance data—fuel consumption equivalency, battery efficiency, ride comfort, and environmental impact—to inform broader deployment across the UK’s coastal regions.
Artemis Technologies said the project will provide “vital validation” for high-performance, zero-emission ferries, helping scale clean marine transport well beyond Orkney.
Ultra-Fast Charging Infrastructure Installed in Kirkwall
In tandem with the vessel delivery, an ultra-fast charging station has been installed at Kirkwall Harbour, enabling the Zevi 1 to fully recharge in under an hour. The high-voltage dockside charger marks another step toward decarbonising island transport networks and eliminating reliance on diesel vessels.
Bigger Boat Coming Soon
The Zevi 1 is only the beginning. Artemis confirmed it will also deliver a 24-passenger hydrofoil ferry to Orkney as part of the same programme. That vessel will further test the scalability of foiling technology for commercial passenger operations in exposed maritime environments.
Building Momentum in Clean Maritime Innovation
The Orkney deployment aligns with broader efforts under the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), which has supported dozens of low- and zero-emission shipping projects across the UK.
Orkney has long been a hub for maritime innovation. Home to the EMEC—the world’s leading ocean energy test site—the islands have pioneered tidal, wave, and hydrogen fuel technologies. The arrival of Zevi 1 reinforces the region’s role as a living lab for clean transport systems.
