Zero-emissions water transport network for Tasmania

Fly Derwent and New Zealand marine company Vessev plan to launch an electric hydrofoiling network on Tasmania’s Derwent River, establishing a new category of urban water transport.

The network will launch with a VS–9, the company’s flagship 10-seater, nine-metre, fully electric hydrofoiling catamaran, which lifts above the water on carbon fibre foils.

Multiple VS–12s have also been reserved, each carrying 30 passengers, creating a transport network that the company says requires no large-scale infrastructure investment or upgrades.

Fly Derwent Principal Cameron McCulloch said their vision is to transform river, lake and coastal transport in Tasmania.

“This world-leading technology unlocks affordable, river-based commuter and tourism transport in Hobart without the need for large-scale infrastructure changes,” McCulloch said. “That’s what excites me most — not just the boats themselves, but everything they make possible in Hobart and beyond.

“It’s an entirely new mode of transport that enables us to use waterways in a way that is more like a metro system than a ferry service.”

Vessev’s hydrofoiling vessels cruise at around 25 knots and because they produce virtually no wake while foiling, they can operate at higher speeds without damaging the Derwent’s sensitive riverbanks, a critical consideration for regulatory approval and long-term environmental stewardship.

“We explored more conventional electric vessels, but they couldn’t solve the core challenges of range, efficiency and wake in Tasmania’s sensitive river environments. Hydrofoiling changes that completely, lifting the hull clear of the water, reducing drag and unlocking the efficiency needed to deliver commercial services on electric power alone,” McCulloch said.

Tasmania already operates at close to 100% renewable electricity generation over a typical year, powered predominantly by hydropower and complemented by wind and solar. That same grid will charge the Fly Derwent fleet.

“Tasmania has been ahead of the clean energy curve since the late 1800s and remains at the forefront of renewable energy today. This project demonstrates how that advantage can translate into leadership in sustainable transport, reducing environmental impact and operating costs, while insulating the state from reliance on imported diesel and the volatility of fossil fuels,” McCulloch said.

Because hydrofoiling improves efficiency by up to three times compared to conventional boats, the VS–9 only requires a modest amount of energy to fully charge, comparable to a standard EV.

McCulloch is also exploring other charging solutions including onsite battery storage, vehicle-to-grid integration, and mobile charging infrastructure to support future routes.

Vessev CEO Eric Laakmann said what’s happening in Tasmania is the beginning of a much larger shift in how cities think about water mobility.

“Electric hydrofoiling enables an entirely new category of water transport. Tasmania is a standout environment to demonstrate this at scale, where abundant renewable energy and strong local ambition come together to show what zero-emissions marine transport can look like in the real world,” Laakmann said.

“With projects now underway in both Tasmania and Perth, we’re seeing genuine momentum build in Australia. Almost every major city has waterways sitting largely unused for passenger transport and electric hydrofoiling changes that.”

The first stage of Fly Derwent will focus on early commuter and premium tourism offerings, with plans to reconnect Hobart’s waterfront tourism hub.

Based out of the Hobart waterfront, the network will span the full length of the Derwent River, servicing 60 km from New Norfolk to Opossum Bay.

Vessev and Fly Derwent are working closely with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure the service meets all requirements for this vessel type.

The VS–9 is expected to arrive in Hobart in early 2027 and Vessev is working closely with Fly Derwent to accelerate deployment of the VS–12.

Top image caption: Vessev VS-9 in front of the Bridgewater Bridge. Image: Supplied.