EC16.5
A 16.5-metre foil-assisted catamaran for small passenger ferries, crew transfer, and taxi-boat operations. Up to 50% lower drag; over 80% lower energy in foil-assisted electric configuration.
[HERO IMAGE: render of EC16.5 in operating context — water, in motion, daylight. Variant: standard 4.90 m beam.]
[Primary CTA: Download the EC16.5 spec sheet (PDF)] [Secondary CTA: Book a 30-minute technical briefing]
At a glance
| LOA | 16.5 m (54 ft) |
| Beam | 4.90 m (standard) / 5.30 m (wider variant) |
| Configurations | Fully electric · Hybrid · ICE-powered |
| Cruise speed | [TBC] kn |
| Range (electric) | [TBC] nm at [TBC] kn cruise |
| Passenger capacity | Up to [TBC], configuration-dependent |
| Charge time | [TBC] h at [TBC] kW MCS |
| Classification | DNV HSLC |
The vessel
The EC16.5 is the smallest member of the EnviroCat platform — a 16.5-metre foil-assisted catamaran sized for short-haul passenger ferries, offshore and harbour crew transfer, and high-frequency taxi-boat operations. The platform delivers the energy and emissions advantage of the foil-assist hull at a size and operating cost that suits operators running multiple daily turnarounds, tight port-time windows, and crew or passenger-comfort requirements.
A wider-beam 5.30 m configuration is available alongside the standard 4.90 m hull for operators with higher deck-area or passenger-density requirements. Both share the foil-assist hull architecture and propulsion-options matrix.
[IMAGE: GA drawing — public-detail version, no scantlings.]
Operator outcomes
Up to 50% lower drag (diesel-to-diesel newbuild replacement). An EC16.5 newbuild replacing a conventional diesel catamaran of comparable size delivers up to 50% lower drag at design speed, with proportional fuel and emissions savings expected. For operators continuing with ICE-powered drivetrains where electrification is not yet practical (no shore power, regulatory constraints, long return legs), this is the headline outcome.
Over 80% lower energy consumption (foil-assisted electric). When the EC16.5 is configured in foil-assisted electric form, energy consumption drops by more than 80% compared to a conventional diesel catamaran of comparable size — the combined effect of the foil-assist hull and the efficiency advantage of an electric drivetrain. This is the headline outcome for operators able to electrify.
[TBC range and turnaround outcome]. For a typical [TBC: passenger-ferry / crew-transfer / taxi-boat] duty cycle, the EC16.5 in electric configuration delivers [TBC] nm of range at [TBC] kn cruise on a single overnight charge, with port-time charging at MCS power keeping the vessel inside [TBC]-minute turnarounds during the operating day.
Specifications
Hull
| Type | Foil-assisted catamaran, passive foil-assist, aluminium |
| LOA | 16.5 m |
| Beam | 4.90 m (standard) / 5.30 m (wider variant) |
| Draft | [TBC] m |
| Depth | [TBC] m |
| Displacement (light) | [TBC] t |
| Displacement (loaded) | [TBC] t |
Propulsion (configurable — multiple options supported)
| Mechanical propulsion | Controllable-pitch propellers (Kumera Helseth, Servogear), Volvo Penta IPS Electric pods, or waterjet propulsion |
| Electric drive (electric and hybrid configurations) | Brunvoll Mar-El, ZEM, or other compatible suppliers |
| Total continuous power | [TBC] kW |
| Total peak power | [TBC] kW |
Propulsion selection is driven by the operator’s route, speed envelope, manoeuvring requirements, and operating-cost analysis. See Approach for the analytical-engagement model that maps route to configuration.
Energy storage (electric and hybrid configurations)
| Installed energy | [TBC] kWh |
| Usable energy | [TBC] kWh at [TBC]% DoD operational window |
| Battery supplier | ZEM (or alternative supported supplier) |
Charging
| Charging standards supported | CCS, MCS |
| Typical charge rate | [TBC] kW MCS |
| Full charge time | ~[TBC] h from 20% SoC |
Capacity
| Passengers | Up to [TBC], configuration-dependent |
| Payload | [TBC] t |
| Deck area | [TBC] m² |
Operating envelope
| Cruise speed | [TBC] kn (design) |
| Maximum speed | [TBC] kn |
| Sea state envelope | [TBC] |
| Range (electric, at cruise) | [TBC] nm |
Classification and build standard
| Classification | DNV HSLC |
| Flag | Per operator requirement |
| Build standard | HSC code-compliant |
Detailed validation, performance curves, weight breakdowns, and operating-cost models are available to qualified buyers under NDA.
Proof and partners
- Hull validation — tank-tested at Stadt Towing Tank; CFD-validated.
- Classification — designed to DNV HSLC notation.
- Programme reference — foil-assisted catamaran solution selected as one of four entrants in Fremtidens Hurtigbåt, the competitive innovation programme run by the counties of Nordland, Trøndelag, and Vestland.
- Technology partners — Kumera Helseth, Servogear, Volvo Penta, Brunvoll, Brunvoll Mar-El, ZEM, Maritime Engineering, DNV. See Technology for full partner ecosystem.
Variants
Standard 4.90 m beam — the default configuration for passenger ferry, crew transfer, and taxi-boat operations where standard deck area suffices.
Wider-beam 5.30 m configuration — available for operators requiring higher passenger density, larger deck area, or specific topside requirements. Same foil-assist hull architecture, same propulsion-options matrix; the wider beam is engineered without compromising hull-and-foil integration.
For configurations beyond the standard and wider-beam variants — different deck arrangements, specific operator topside requirements, alternative propulsion suppliers — see the Custom design programme.
Use cases
Small passenger ferries. Coastal, fjord, and inshore passenger routes — typical duty cycles with multiple daily turnarounds and tight port-time windows. The EC16.5 fits regional operator requirements where the route distance and passenger load are below the threshold for the EC22 or EC34.
Crew transfer. Offshore and harbour crew movement — port-to-installation, port-to-vessel, and shift-change duty cycles. The foil-assist energy advantage translates directly to fewer charging stops or smaller fuel-tank requirements on routes with multiple daily trips.
Taxi-boat operations. High-frequency short-distance passenger transport in urban water-network operations (Gulf urban water taxis, Norwegian fjord taxi services, similar). The platform’s energy efficiency reduces per-trip operating cost on routes where vessel utilisation is the primary economic driver.
Downloads and next step
- Public spec sheet (PDF) — full specification one-pager, suitable for first-pass evaluation. [Download — lead-capture form]
- Gated technical PDF — detailed weight breakdowns, energy curves, TCO model. Available after lead-capture and a brief qualification step.
- NDA materials — full performance curves, GA drawings with dimensions, foil-system detail. Available after NDA execution.
Operators evaluating the EC16.5 for a specific route or fleet renewal programme should request a route and duty-cycle analysis — the consultative engagement described on the Approach page. The analysis maps your route to the appropriate configuration (propulsion, battery sizing, beam variant) and validates the expected energy and emissions outcome before commitment.
[Book a 30-minute technical briefing] [Download the public spec sheet]