Image credit : liftocean.no

In the global movement toward decarbonizing the maritime industry, Lift Ocean emerges as a pioneer in advanced hydrofoil system development. Based in Norway, this startup designs foil systems for high-speed vessels that dramatically improve energy efficiency while significantly reducing carbon emissions. Their technology primarily targets port-to-port and coastal transport segments, such as passenger shuttles and offshore crew transfers.

Conventional high-speed boats face significant hydrodynamic resistance, which leads to high fuel consumption and emissions. As the industry pushes toward electrification and net-zero targets, energy efficiency becomes paramount; there is a growing need for technologies that can reduce drag and optimize the use of renewable energy. Lift Ocean addresses this challenge with hydrofoil systems that lift the vessel’s hull out of the water during operation, reducing drag and cutting energy use by over 50%. This technology is especially useful for energy-intensive short routes such as inter-island or intra-harbor travel.

Lift Ocean was founded by Petter Mørland Pedersen, a former Olympic sailor from Norway with an engineering background and extensive experience at Aker Solutions. The combination of his maritime know-how and technical expertise forms the foundation of Lift Ocean’s innovative foil solutions tailored to the needs of future maritime mobility.

In April 2022, Lift Ocean secured NOK 20 million (approximately USD 2.3 million) in funding from strategic investors. The list includes:

• Yinson Holdings (Malaysia) – Lead investor and commercial partner
• Yinson Venture Capital – Venture capital arm of Yinson Holdings
• Helse AS – Investment firm owned by Andres Kongsgaard Flaaten
• Oxidane Venture – Technology-focused venture capital firm

The funding supports the development of a full-scale electric hydrofoil vessel prototype and retrofittable foil systems.

Lift Ocean’s key partnership is with Yinson Green Technologies, which is also a major investor. The company collaborates with maritime engineering firms across Europe and Southeast Asia for technology trials and commercial deployments. Potential clients include port authorities, regional ferry operators, and offshore energy project developers.

Lift Ocean’s flagship product is the HydroGlyder, a 12-meter electric passenger vessel equipped with a full hydrofoil system. Developed in partnership with Yinson Green Technologies, Lift Ocean’s key partner as well as an investor, the Hydroglyder is designed for operation in the Port of Singapore. It can carry up to 12 passengers at speeds of 20–25 knots while reducing energy consumption by up to 60% compared to conventional fast ferries.

Lift Ocean’s technology integrates three core components: an engine lift system, active foil control, and retractable foil design. As the vessel accelerates, underwater foils generate lift, elevating the hull above the water’s surface. With the hull no longer in contact with the water, hydrodynamic drag is drastically reduced. This allows the vessel to maintain high speeds while consuming significantly less energy. For short-sea and coastal shipping, vessels must be both fast and sustainable. The hydrofoil system is ideal for electric vessels due to its energy efficiency; critical as battery technology still faces range and capacity limitations.

Port operators, short-distance maritime transport companies, and offshore wind service providers benefit from lower fuel costs, zero emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort and stability. A demonstration project is currently underway in Singapore with port authorities. Expansion plans include ports in Norway, Malaysia, and archipelagic regions in Southeast Asia. Lift Ocean’s foil technology can be integrated into new vessels or retrofitted onto existing ones. Installation involves hull modifications and integration of propulsion systems with active foil control technology.

While Lift Ocean’s hydrofoil technology presents a compelling solution for short-distance decarbonized maritime transport, several challenges remain. Retrofitting existing fleets may involve significant hull modifications and integration complexities, potentially limiting adoption due to high costs and long downtimes. Hydrofoils themselves face limitations related to operational stability in rough sea conditions, increased maintenance due to complex moving parts, and performance trade-offs when vessels operate at lower speeds or in heavily trafficked, debris-prone waters. As with many early-stage innovations, real-world performance, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory acceptance will ultimately determine Lift Ocean’s long-term viability.

That said, as the maritime industry searches for scalable, long-term solutions to decarbonize its global fleet, innovations like Lift Ocean’s hydrofoil technology have the potential to provide an immediate and impactful step forward that cannot be ignored. By dramatically increasing energy efficiency and enabling zero-emission operations on short-sea routes, Lift Ocean can bridge the gap between today’s technological constraints and tomorrow’s green fuel ambitions. Until scalable alternatives such as green ammonia or hydrogen become mainstream, smart engineering solutions like these will be essential in accelerating the industry’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

References:

Lift Ocean. (n.d.). Boating Above Ordinary. Retrieved from https://www.liftocean.no/

Lift Ocean secures NOK 20m through a capital raise. (2022, April 11). Powerboat World. Retrieved from https://powerboat.world/news/247872/Lift-Ocean-secures-NOK-20m-through-a-capital-raise

Lift Ocean in a NOK 20 million capital investment round led by Yinson Holdings. (2022, April 9). Nordic 9. Retrieved from https://nordic9.com/news/lift-ocean-in-a-nok-20-million-capital-investment-round-led-by-yinson-holdings/

Lift Ocean to launch hydrofoil concept at major maritime event. (2021, April 20). Ritzau. Retrieved from https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/13620304/lift-ocean-to-launch-hydrofoil-concept-at-major-maritime-event

Contributor: Ariana Tri Asti
Reviewer : Imam Buchari, David Ratner