Frequently asked questions about marine EVs, solar, and the Maldives' net-zero pathway.

Sustainable Energy Transitions (S.E.T.) is the Maldives partner for Artemis Technologies — the Belfast-based manufacturer of the world's first commercially proven open-ocean electric hydrofoils. We supply, service and operate the Artemis Escape and the Artemis EF24 ferry for resort transfers, public ferry routes and inter-atoll connectivity, and are establishing a service shipyard at Thilafushi.

Through S.E.T. for the Maldives and broader Indian Ocean island nations. We structure vessel-only purchases, full-service operating leases (vessel + charging + service + insurance bundled into a per-trip or per-month fee), and managed-fleet arrangements where S.E.T. operates the route on the operator's behalf. Direct enquiries to sales@setransitions.com.

Headquartered in Malé, Republic of Maldives, with a service shipyard being established at Thilafushi and a regional office in Singapore. Our primary focus is the Maldives, with capability extending across Sri Lanka, the broader Indian Ocean and warm-water island and coastal nations where diesel speedboats currently dominate passenger transport.

Full infrastructure. We deliver solar generation (rooftop and floating), battery energy storage (BESS), shore-side marine fast-charging, and microgrid integration software that ties chargers, batteries, solar and reporting across multiple islands into one control plane. Vessels and energy infrastructure can be procured together or separately.

Artemis Technologies is a Belfast-based maritime technology company designing and building 100% electric foiling vessels. Spun out of an America's Cup engineering programme, the company is supported by UK Research & Innovation's Strength in Places Fund and has developed the world's first commercially viable electric hydrofoil platform — the Artemis eFoiler® — for passenger ferries, water taxis, pilot boats, workboats and crew transfer vessels.

Artemis eFoiler® is the patented electric propulsion and hydrofoil system that powers every Artemis vessel. At cruise the hull lifts clear of the water on retractable foils, dramatically reducing drag and producing zero operational emissions, quiet operation, and minimal wake. An autopilot flight control system autonomously controls ride height, roll and pitch — delivering a smooth, level ride that removes the bumpy passage and seasickness associated with conventional high-speed boats.

Yes. Performance of the Artemis eFoiler® has been validated through extensive sea trials in the Irish Sea, including direct comparison against a gasoline displacement sistership measuring energy efficiency, ride comfort and wake creation across a wide range of weather conditions. Artemis is the only proven open-ocean electric hydrofoil platform in commercial operation today.

Because Artemis is the only manufacturer with an open-ocean-proven electric hydrofoil. The Maldives demands vessels that handle Indian Ocean swell across long inter-atoll passages — most electric boat platforms are restricted to sheltered urban waterways. Artemis vessels foil through 2.5m significant wave height and operate in displacement mode up to 4m. That makes them the only credible diesel-speedboat replacement for Maldivian conditions.

The Artemis EF-12 Escape is a 100% electric luxury passenger vessel designed for premium resort transfers. It carries up to 12 passengers, reaches 32 knots and foils up to 52 nautical miles. Larger full-class variants share the family on the new EF-15 platform: the 12–22 passenger EF-15 Escape Exec, the 32–44 passenger EF-15 Escape Metro, and the EF-15 Escape Cargo for logistics. The vessel produces zero emissions in operation, generates reduced wake to protect coral reefs and sensitive shorelines, and runs quietly above the waterline.

The Artemis EF-24 Passenger is the world's first 100% electric foiling passenger ferry built for commercial operations. It carries 150 passengers, with a top speed of 36 knots, a cruise speed of 34 knots, and a foiling range of 70 nautical miles. It is engineered to meet the International Maritime Organization's High Speed Craft (HSC) code and is in DNV class approval, designed for high-density public ferry corridors.

The EF-12 Escape reaches 32 knots and the EF-15 Escape family 34 knots. The EF-24 Passenger ferry cruises at 34 knots and tops out at 36 knots — matching or exceeding typical diesel high-speed ferry performance, with zero operational emissions and dramatically lower operating cost.

The EF-12 range (Escape, Dayboat): up to 52 NM foiling. The EF-15 Escape family: up to 55 NM (Exec and Cargo) and up to 42 NM (Metro). EF-24 Passenger: up to 70 NM. These ranges are sufficient for the vast majority of Maldives resort transfers from Velana International Airport (MLE) and inter-atoll routes on a single charge. Performance figures depend on vessel specification, load, sea state and temperature.

Artemis vessels are engineered for foiling operation in 2.5 metres significant wave height and displacement mode in 4 metres significant wave height. The autopilot flight control system maintains ride stability through monsoon swell; in heavier conditions the vessel transitions automatically to displacement mode and continues safely to harbour.

Yes. The Artemis EF-24 Passenger is being engineered to meet the IMO High Speed Craft code and is in class approval with DNV — making it the world's first 100% electric foiling ferry to do so. Certification is adapted per flag state to meet Maldives Transport Authority and other national regulator requirements.

Both the Escape family and the EF-24 Passenger ferry achieve a full charge in less than 60 minutes using ultra-fast charging. The charging window aligns with normal turnaround times at the jetty, allowing seamless and uninterrupted operation across daily rotations without disrupting schedules.

Where possible, from solar generation paired with battery storage on the same island as the charger. S.E.T.'s microgrid software prioritises solar charging during the day and draws from BESS overnight, so vessels can run on near-100% renewable energy without depending on diesel gensets — closing the loop from sun to sea.

Substantially less than a diesel vessel. Artemis vessels require minimal servicing in contrast to conventional diesel engines — there is no combustion engine, no gearbox, no exhaust system, no daily fuel logistics. S.E.T.'s Malé shipyard handles scheduled maintenance, software updates, parts inventory, technician training and end-of-life battery handling in-country.

Foiling above the waves removes the bumpy ride and seasickness associated with conventional high-speed boats. The Artemis autopilot flight control system autonomously manages ride height, roll and pitch — delivering a smooth, level passage even in challenging conditions. Above-water noise is quieter than a conversation, and there are no diesel exhaust fumes.

Compared to a conventional diesel resort transfer, the EF-15 Escape Metro has substantially lower operating cost due to higher energy efficiency, eliminated fuel cost, and reduced maintenance — no combustion engine, gearbox or exhaust system to service. Total cost of ownership crosses over within a few years on most route profiles. We model route-specific economics during scoping.

A diesel speedboat consumes 60–80 litres of diesel per round-trip resort transfer, generates significant wake, and produces engine noise and exhaust emissions. The same trip on an Artemis Escape uses zero diesel, produces zero emissions in operation, generates reduced wake, and is dramatically quieter above the waterline. Operating cost per nautical mile is significantly lower.

Both. S.E.T. structures vessel-only purchases, full-service operating leases (vessel + charging + service + insurance bundled), and managed-fleet arrangements where S.E.T. operates the route on the resort's behalf. We tailor commercials to fleet size, route intensity and the operator's preference between capex and opex.

Contact our team at sales@setransitions.com or call +960 777 1666 (Maldives) or +44 7763 533556 (UK). We respond within one business day with a project scoping conversation, route assessment and indicative commercial terms. Vessel demonstrations can be arranged in Belfast at the Artemis facility.

Delivery time depends on the chosen layout, features and modules. Build slots are filling — operators are encouraged to engage early to secure their place. Contact us to discuss a specific build slot and timeline.

The Maldives' Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement targets net-zero emissions by 2030, conditional on international support. The two largest decarbonisation levers are (1) replacing diesel gensets on resorts and inhabited islands with solar-plus-storage microgrids, and (2) replacing the diesel speedboat fleet that connects atolls with electric vessels — primarily Artemis hydrofoils for passenger transport. Both are commercially deployable today.

Yes — substantially. Foiling above the water dramatically reduces prop wash and wake, lessening disturbance in shallow lagoon environments. Above-water noise is quieter than a conversation at cruise; underwater noise is dramatically reduced versus diesel inboards, lowering disturbance to marine life. Less wake, less noise — helping protect coral life.

The same playbook — replace diesel passenger boats with electric hydrofoils, pair charging with solar-plus-storage — applies to any warm-water island or coastal nation where diesel speedboats dominate passenger transport. Sri Lanka, the broader Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, Indonesia and Pacific island states all share the same fundamentals. S.E.T. is built around the Maldives but the model travels.