A Swedish maritime technology company will demonstrate its electric hydrofoiling vessel on the Potomac River next week, showcasing technology that could potentially transform water commuting in the Washington region.
Candela will perform media demonstration rides Oct. 17-23 near the Swedish Embassy using its C-8 flying vessel. The demonstrations coincide with the Swedish Green Transition Summit, a forum focused on sustainable development innovations.
The company’s vessels use computer-guided underwater wings to lift the hull above the water’s surface, reducing energy consumption by up to 80% compared to conventional boats. The technology produces no wake at high speeds, potentially allowing exemptions from no-wake zones that typically limit vessel speeds on urban waterways.
According to Candela, the technology could dramatically reduce regional commute times. A trip from Georgetown to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport could take six minutes by water, compared to 20 minutes by car or 37 minutes by public transit during rush hour. An Alexandria commuter heading to The Wharf could complete the journey in 10 minutes.
Gustav Hasselskog, Candela’s founder and CEO, said the company is in discussions with several U.S. companies about deploying the vessels.
“We’re not merely replacing diesel ferries — we’re enabling a new layer of transport by utilizing the underused waterways,” Hasselskog said.
The company’s P-12 ferry entered service in Stockholm’s public transport system in 2024, where travel times have been cut in half. The vessel was recently named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025. More than 40 of the electric ferries have been ordered worldwide, with deployments planned for Lake Tahoe, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Mumbai.
