Vessev opens US office with plans to establish electric hydrofoil sales, manufacturing

New Zealand-based electric hydrofoil boat manufacturer Vessev announced exciting expansion plans to the US this morning. The new office is its first at the international level and will be the new headquarters for Vessev’s overseas operations as it looks to “establish a strong market presence in the US.”

Vessev is an eco-friendly boat builder founded in Auckland, New Zealand, a few years ago before coming out of stealth mode in May 2024. Until today’s news, the company only operated there and has been conducting sea trials of its flagship vessel, an electric hydrofoiling boat called the VS–9.

Since then, we’ve kept tabs on the sustainable marine startup, which has inched closer to commercial operations and tourism in NZ. Last year, we learned that Vessev had secured its first customer in NetZero Maritime – the green technology team at Fullers360 – New Zealand’s largest ferry operator.

Last September, the company shared images and footage of its first completed VS–9 electric hydrofoil boat alongside news that it would begin transporting passengers as soon as certification was complete. By January 2025, Vessev had started commercial operations, but again, only in its native New Zealand.

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Today, however, Vessev announced an expansion into the US market with a new office and has appointed its first Director of North American hydrofoil operations.

Vessev looks to bring its electric hydrofoil boats the US

Vessev shared details of its plans to bring its electric hydrofoil boats into the US market, which will include local manufacturing and create new jobs. The company announced it has appointed marine technology veteran Josh Trout as the North American Director spearheading the new operation. Trout spoke about his new role to bring Vessev’s hydrofoil tech to US soil:

I’ve worked at the bleeding edge of marine technology for over 20 years, and the innovation and forethought of Vessev’s unique hydrofoiling technology is unparalleled. I have complete confidence that I can support the company’s US growth strategy with both sales and extending our reach in international markets. We are also exploring the opportunities to build our state-of-the-art vessels in the US, which will both create jobs and set the foundations for our service and support business in the US.

Trout will lead Vessev’s US expansion, helping set up shop locally to pave the way for local production of the company’s electric hydrofoil vessels like the VS–9 while developing and streamlining the company’s business development in the region.

Much like its goals in New Zealand, Vessev hopes to deliver sustainable marine vessels to US-based commercial operators and private customers. According to a company representative, Vessev’s new US office will be in Rhode Island.