Trondheim’s fjords are set to welcome a new kind of commuter transport: the Candela P-12, an electric passenger vessel on hydrofoils. Starting 17 December 2025, the ferry will operate between Frosta Brygge and Trondheim as part of the Frostabåten pilot, a collaboration involving local/regional authorities, NTNU, and industry partners.
Candela says the P-12 cruises at 25 knots with an all-electric range of about 40 nautical miles. By lifting the hull out of the water on computer-controlled hydrofoils, the vessel can cut energy use by up to 80% compared with conventional hulls—delivering a quieter ride with zero local emissions.
For residents in Frosta, the time savings are significant: the trip to central Trondheim is typically around 1 hour 30 minutes by road, while the P-12 crossing is expected to take about 30 minutes. The project also aims to bring back a long-discontinued ferry link on this route.
A key part of the concept is practicality: unlike many high-speed electric ferries that require expensive megawatt-class charging, the P-12 can be charged using a car-style DC charger, supporting a more scalable rollout if the trial proves successful. The pilot is planned to run into January 2026, with results used to assess future zero-emission fast-boat services in Norwegian fjords.
