Testing the future of fjord transport – seamless travel, also by bike

Representatives from Trondheim municipality recently took part in a test sailing with the Frostabåten, an electric hydrofoil to Munkholmen, to assess the potential for scheduled passenger transport on the fjord.

Munkholmen is the small historic island just outside Trondheim city centre, known for its former monastery, fortress and prison, and today a popular recreational destination.

Participants from the municipality included Trond Åm from the City Executive Department for Culture, Sports and Outdoor Recreation (V), Knut Kvaran, Head of Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation, Marius Austeen, Advisor in the Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation, and Paal Christian Bjønnes, Executive Secretary to the City Councillor for Education and Early Childhood in Trondheim municipality.

Knut Kvaran tested bringing a bicycle on board. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Considering scheduled transport to Munkholmen

The purpose of the trip was to test how the electric hydrofoil performs in practice, and to explore the opportunities the technology may offer for future, sustainable passenger transport between the city and Munkholmen.

“It was great fun to take part in this. I truly hope this can be realised, because there is significant potential for scheduled transport on the fjord. This technology opens up many opportunities, and I hope viable commercial solutions can be found,” says Trond Åm from the City Executive Department for Culture, Sports and Outdoor Recreation (V).

Frostabåten at Munkholmen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Zero-emission technology with strong potential

The Frostabåten project, featuring the electric hydrofoil Candela P-12, is a pilot project for zero-emission scheduled transport on the fjord. The technology offers low energy consumption, reduced noise, and minimal wake. The goal is to test new solutions for efficient and sustainable maritime transport, and it may also be a relevant alternative between Trondheim city centre and Munkholmen.

Trond Åm, City Councillor for Culture, Sports and Outdoor Recreation, and Linda Hald, Project Manager for Frostabåten from FI Ocean Space Incubator. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Combining boat and bicycle

The test sailing also demonstrated how the electric hydrofoil can be combined with other modes of transport. Knut Kvaran took the opportunity to bring a bicycle on board and went for a bike ride around Munkholmen after arrival.

“This was genuinely exciting. It was great to see how smooth the entire journey was, and very practical that you can bring a bicycle on board. This really makes you want more,” says Knut Kvaran, Head of Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation.

Knut Kvaran, Head of Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation, tested the bicycle on Munkholmen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Broad collaboration across industry, research and the public sector

The company Crazy Coyote works closely with the municipality on the agreement for operating Munkholmen. Crazy Coyote is also providing the boat pilots during the test period.

“This type of vessel is highly exciting, and something we see as a sustainable, future-oriented and safe way to transport tourists and the city’s residents out to Munkholmen,” says Managing Director Kenneth Tanem.

“Our ambition is to elevate Munkholmen as a destination, and that means the experience must start already on the journey out to Munkholmen,” he adds.

The Frostabåten project is carried out through close collaboration between Frosta Brygge, Trondheim Havn, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, MIDAS, Crazy Coyote, WTW, Login Group, Norsk Droneindustri, SINTEF, Maritime Robotics and FI Ocean Space Incubator. NTNU, through its Shore Control Lab, is a key partner in testing and research related to remote monitoring and autonomous systems.

Trondheim municipality and Trøndelag County Council are important public-sector partners and contribute to the financing of the project.

Test sailing with the Frostabåten, Candela P-12, on the Trondheimsfjord. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Knut Kvaran, Head of Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation in Trondheim municipality. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

At 15 knots, the hydrofoil on the Candela P-12 lifts the hull out of the water and the boat “flies”. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Paal Christian Bjønnes, Executive Secretary to the City Councillor for Education and Early Childhood, and Marius Austeen, Advisor in the Unit for Sports and Outdoor Recreation, Trondheim municipality. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

The Frostabåten at Munkholmen. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Kenneth Tanem, Managing Director of Crazy Coyote and pilot during the Frostabåten test sailings. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

The boat even has a bicycle rack on board. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Frostabten at the NTNU quay in Nyhavna. NTNU’s Shore Control Lab is located in the building behind. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Ole Andreas Alsos remotely monitors the test sailings from NTNU’s Shore Control Lab at Nyhavna, by the NTNU quay. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

First landing at Munkholmen from the Frostabåten. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri
Approach to the Pier Terminal at Brattøra, Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri