The quiet and smooth Pioneer of Belfast glides above the water, leaving little wake behind it. “Even in big waves and wind, we can see the benefits of flying above the waves,” says Katrina Thompson, programme director at Artemis Technologies.
The Artemis Technologies Pioneer is the world’s first electric foiling workboat to hit the market. The foil, a wing-like structure beneath the boat, lifts the hull out of the water, reducing drag significantly.
When combined with an electric motor, Artemis claims that the vessel reduces fuel costs by 90% while emitting no emissions. “It’s such a transformative technology,” says Dr Thompson.
Dr Thompson grew up in Belfast’s Sailortown, surrounded by heavy industry. Her childhood was spent playing on the docks while her parents worked on the boats.
She left Belfast to work as an aeronautical engineer for Rolls-Royce and Bombardier. Then she returned to her roots, bringing her expertise with her.
“My dad couldn’t understand it,” says Dr Thompson. “Then I showed him the underneath of the boat. He said, ‘Well, it’s a wing’.”
Artemis brings together motorsports experts, aeronautical engineers, flight control and physics modelling specialists, and naval architects.
According to Dr. Thompson, the Pioneer measures 11.5m and is well suited to transporting crew to and from offshore wind farms.
“They have to push against the wind to get out to the farms and stay there while the crew disembark. It’s a power- hungry manoeuvre.”
Maritime traffic causes coastal degradation, shore erosion, and habitat loss.
Because of the lack of wake, Artemis is permitted to operate close to the harbor at higher speeds than other vessels, promising significantly reduced journey times.
“We are working in an industry that is traditionally slow to adopt new technologies,” says Dr Thompson. “If we start now, we can make a smoother journey towards decarbonization.”
Approximately 90% of all global trade is transported by sea. The international maritime sector accounts for nearly 3% of total global emissions. If it were a country, it would be the sixth largest emitter on the planet.
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