The round brings Candela's total capital raised to 129 million euros since its inception, making it the best-funded electric vessel manufacturer globally. It was backed by all existing shareholders - EQT Ventures, SEB Private Equity, KanDela AB, and Ocean Zero LLC - alongside new investor the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, which contributed 8 million euros.
The raise defies a broader downturn in climate-tech investment and follows the recent, successful real-world deployment of the P-12 in public transport across Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, and Trondheim, where the vessel demonstrated strong technical performance, significantly reduced operating costs, and dramatically shorter travel times compared to traditional diesel ferries.
Named one of TIME magazine's most important inventions of 2025, the P-12 is the world's first electric hydrofoil ferry in scheduled commuter service. At its core is Candela's proprietary computer-controlled hydrofoil system and C-POD motors, which lift the vessel above the water and cut energy consumption by up to 80 percent versus conventional ships - while producing zero wake.
“From a physics perspective, ships have been essentially the same for hundreds of years” said Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO. “We're redefining waterborne transport by effectively creating a new category of vessel. This allows cities and municipalities to finally take full advantage of waterways—while escaping the fossil-fuel cost trap that has long prevented them from being used efficiently.”
The Candela P-12 has proven successful in Stockholm’s public transport, significantly reducing travel times and operating costs.
With serial production now up and running and first customer deliveries starting in this month, more than 65 vessels are currently on order. From 2026, deployments are slated for Mumbai - where a fleet of ten P-12s will cut travel times from Navi Mumbai Airport to the city centre from around two hours to 35 minutes - as well as the Maldives, Saudi Arabia's NEOM project, Thailand, and additional markets.
Candela is applying scalable, platform-based serial production to advanced carbon-fibre vessels, breaking from the maritime industry's traditional reliance on one-off construction. The second factory - to be located in Poland - will make zero-emission transport more accessible to emerging markets around the world.
“By moving away from small-series production - which inevitably drives high costs - we've built a platform that serves multiple markets” added Mr Hasselskog. “This allows us to deliver technologically advanced carbon-fiber vessels with industry-leading operating costs at a competitive price point, freeing operators from the cost trap of fossil-fuel ships. In a market where climate tech funding is down around 50 percent since 2021, raising our largest round ever sends a clear signal: the transition is moving beyond subsidies and green premiums. Our vessels win on cost and performance, and that's why investors are backing Candela. I'm truly grateful for that trust.”
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