Belfast-based clean maritime company Artemis Technologies has launched the Artemis EF-12 Pilot. It is the world’s first 100 percent electric, hydrofoil pilot boat. The vessel has officially entered the water and is progressing through sea trials.
It is a zero-emission, fully electric hydrofoil vessel specifically designed to meet the demanding safety and performance needs of daily harbor pilot transfers.
Dropping the diesel
In the maritime world, there is a legendary political cartoon called “Dropping the Pilot.” It depicts an old harbor pilot stepping off a ship, representing the loss of a foundational, seasoned expert. But in the physical world, dropping or picking up a pilot is the most dangerous part of the daily routine in shipping.
Harbor pilots are elite local navigators. They must board giant moving cargo ships from a small boat, often timing a blind, death-defying leap in heavy swells.
To protect these specialized mariners, pilot boats evolved into highly stable, heavy-duty vessels.
Conventional pilot boats require massive, roaring diesel engines to smash through heavy coastal chop. The vessels use brutal horsepower to fight the water. Artemis takes the opposite approach. It flies over it.
Using the company’s patented Artemis eFoiler system, the carbon-fiber vessel lifts entirely out of the sea once it hits speed. The boat cuts hydrodynamic drag by flying above the waves. It also eliminates the heavy, rolling wake that can damage shorelines and disturb anchored ships.
“Pilotage places very specific demands on a vessel. The Artemis EF‑12 Pilot applies proven foiling technology to meet those demands, delivering an efficient, fully electric solution that supports pilots, crews, and port operations globally,” said Dr Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies.
These feature deep-V hulls designed to cut through coastal chop and remain watertight and self-righting like a lifeboat.
To withstand the severe impacts of coming alongside moving ships, pilot boats are structurally reinforced and wrapped in heavy-duty elastomeric, polyurethane, or foam-filled fenders. Beneath the deck are high-performance power plants that enable rapid throttling and precise maneuvering, essential for these operations.
The new boat actively stabilizes its ride height, roll, and pitch to minimize deck motion, ensuring safe pilot transfers even at high speeds. It reaches a top speed of 32 knots (37 mph) and offers a foiling range of 45 to 55 nautical miles (52 to 63 miles). Moreover, the boat uses ultra-fast DC charging to deliver a full charge in under an hour.
Orders secured
Driven by immense pressure to clean up maritime operations, global demand for zero-emission harbor fleets is soaring. As pilot boats run near-continuous daily schedules, their high operational frequency makes them prime candidates for electrification.
The 100 percent electric Artemis EF-12 Pilot comes in two variants: Single Propulsion and Dual Propulsion. It can accommodate up to four passengers.
Early adopters are already lining up. Artemis has secured orders from major international operators, including Brabo in Belgium, the Swedish Maritime Administration, Noatum Maritime in Abu Dhabi, and the Port of Tyne in the UK.
It is incredibly quiet, too. During simulated testing and real-world trials, crews reported experiencing up to six times fewer body vibrations than on traditional diesel boats.
Prioritizing safety and operational confidence, the vessel’s design features an optimized layout, superior visibility, and strategic deck arrangements to support consistent transfer operations.
In addition, an active flight control system further enhances stability during critical pilot transfers.