Based in Oslo, Norway, Lift Ocean is a maritime technology company specializing in the development of advanced hydrofoil systems. Founded in 2019 by a team including world-champion sailor Petter Mørland Pedersen, the company aims to decarbonize the maritime industry by significantly reducing energy consumption .
Their primary innovation is a “bolt-on” hydrofoil kit that allows boat manufacturers to integrate foiling technology into their existing vessel designs without the need for exhaustive, custom R&D. By lifting the hull out of the water at high speeds, their systems reduce hydrodynamic drag by over 50%, enabling a smoother, more efficient, and often emission-free ride when paired with electric propulsion.
Key Aspects of Lift Ocean
- Core Technology: They develop standard, retractable hydrofoil systems that use an active control system to automatically adjust foil angles, ensuring stability and ride height without requiring extra input from the driver.
- Supplier Model: Rather than building entire boats for the retail market, they operate as a Tier 1 supplier, providing generic “hydrofoil kits” to boat builders—much like an outboard engine or navigation system.
- Energy Agnostic: While their technology is a perfect match for electric vessels (where battery range is limited), the systems are designed to improve efficiency for any propulsion type, including conventional internal combustion engines.
- Flagship Product (HydroGlyder): Developed in partnership with Yinson Green Technologies, this is a 12-meter electric passenger vessel designed for urban water transport (such as in the Port of Singapore), capable of carrying 12 passengers at 20–25 knots.
- Market Focus: The company targets high-speed commercial, workboat, and defense segments, particularly for port-to-port, coastal transport, and offshore crew transfers.
- Retractable Design: Their foils can be retracted, allowing vessels to operate in shallow water, facilitate easy cleaning/maintenance, and prevent marine growth when the boat is at rest.
Lift Ocean isn’t just selling a part; they are betting that the “future of foiling” won’t come from futuristic, custom prototypes, but from a set of bolts and a standardized kit that can be applied to the boats we already use today. Designed for compatibility with both electric and fossil-fuel outboard engines — giving boat manufacturers greater flexibility and end-users more choice, while delivering a significant increase in range and onboard comfort.
Strategic Shift & Market Vision
- The 100,000 Boat Opportunity: Lift Ocean identifies a massive untapped market of high-speed boats (20–50ft). They estimate that roughly 100,000 new boats in this category are produced annually, all of which could potentially benefit from a standardized hydrofoil kit.
- From Custom to Kit: After four years of bespoke projects, the company realized that “scalability for the masses” required a generic system that boat builders could buy off-the-shelf, similar to how they source engines or electronics.
- Focus on Boat Builders: Their mantra is to let boat manufacturers focus on what they do best—building hulls and interiors—while Lift Ocean provides the complex “flying” technology.
Technical & Operational Advantages
- Three-Day Retrofit: The company has demonstrated that their system can be retrofitted to an existing vessel in as little as three days, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for owners of older boats.
- Active Control System: Unlike the rigid foils of the past, this system uses sensors to automatically adjust the foils. This ensures stability and allows the boat to “fly” even if the driver has no specialized hydrofoil training.
- Practicality for Owners:
- Trailering: Because the foils are retractable, the boat can still be carried on a standard boat trailer.
- Maintenance: Retractability allows for easy cleaning and inspection while on the water and prevents marine growth (barnacles/algae) when the boat is docked.
- Safety: The system is designed to “break away” safely if it strikes a major submerged object, protecting the structural integrity of the hull.
Designed for both recreational and commercial use. Compatible with any outboard engine, regardless of energy source. Upgradeable wings for fast and safe replacement, service, and maintenance. Retractable wings minimize marine growth, simplify maintenance, and allow conventional planing.
Commercial & Environmental Impact
- “Electrons or Dinosaurs”: The system is “energy agnostic.” While it’s a game-changer for electric boats (enabling longer range), it also offers immediate fuel savings and better comfort for traditional diesel or gasoline-powered vessels.
- Maldives Water Taxis: A current real-world application involves a fleet of hydrofoil water taxis in the Maldives, showcasing the tech’s readiness for high-frequency commercial use.
- Economic Benefit: By reducing drag, the system can allow a boat to achieve high speeds with a smaller, less expensive engine, potentially offsetting the cost of the foil kit itself.
Visit Lift Ocean website for more information
