Safety of Hydrofoil Vessels Hydrodynamic and Structural Considerations

Research Project, 2026 – 2030

Hydrofoil craft, known for drastically reducing resistance in high-speed vessels, is making a comeback due to advancements in materials, sensors, digitalization, and control systems. Once abandoned in the 1980s due to safety and maintenance concerns, hydrofoils are now gaining renewed interest in high-performance sailing and electric transport. They can cut energy consumption by up to 80% and support environmental goals like the UN’s Climate Action, while also offering reduced noise, minimized wave impact, and enhanced passenger comfort. Sweden is at the forefront of developing the next generation of electric hydrofoil craft for fast sea transportation. However, despite the growing interest, still little research has focused on safety aspects, particularly hydrodynamic and structural concerns. The current research project aims to address these safety challenges, promoting the development of safer, more efficient electric foiling vessels and accelerating the shift away from fossil fuel-based marine propulsion systems. To understand the operational and structural limits of hydrofoil vessels, both the hull and hydrofoils must be analyzed under realistic conditions to identify risks related to hydrodynamics and structural integrity. Key challenges include hydrofoil stall and ventilation, which can result in sudden lift loss and cause high-speed crashes. Hydrofoil vessels operate in complex hydrodynamic environments, dealing with high-speed operations, turbulent flow, cavitation, waves, and shallow water effects. These factors, combined with the structural behavior of hydrofoils and hulls, complicate analysis. Effective control systems are critical for safety, as they optimize the performance of hydrofoils and control surfaces (e.g., stabilizers, flaps) under various conditions to improve operational range and dynamic stability. Proper hull design is also essential to mitigate slamming forces when lift is lost, as these impacts can lead to structural damage and passenger injuries. The current project proposes using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Method (FEM) techniques, validated through experimental testing, to efficiently explore a wide range of scenarios. Testing at the SSPA - RISE Maritime Center, along with a specialized hydrofoil test rig being developed by SSPA and Chalmers (in an ongoing project funded by Lighthouse/Trafikverket), will provide essential data for validating simulations.