The scheme will see a commuter passenger route between Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and Bangor Marina, with an anticipated journey time of 30 minutes.

Condor announced it had become the operational partner of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, who are leading the project, in April.

The ship, named EF-24, utilises a battery powered eFoiler system and is hoped to transport up to 150 passengers with a range of 100 nautical miles travelling at a top speed of 38 knots.  

Watch: A mock-up of the EF-24 in action. 

John Napton, Condor’s CEO, said: “We are really pleased to see the progress made by the Artemis team in Belfast in developing this concept into an operational mode of transport. 

“Condor and our shareholder CTI are looking to the future and this includes exploring ways of reducing our carbon emissions and finding more sustainable travel solutions. Vessels, such as the EF-24, perfectly provide the clean alternative to traditional ferries.”

“We look forward to being the first operator to set sail in Belfast in 2024 with the world’s most advanced zero-emission foiling fast ferry.”

Artemis Technologies is a spin-off from the Artemis Racing team that competed in the America’s Cup of which its founder, two-time Olympic champion Dr Iain Percy OBE, is a four-time veteran. 

Dr Percy said the EF-24 is “only the start” of the firms manufacturing plans in Belfast.

Pictured (top): An artist’s impression of EF24 eFoiler® ferry in Condor livery.