Pascal Technologies, based in Oslo, is a young and ambitious company working to introduce energy-efficient hull technologies to the maritime industry. The company was founded to accelerate the transition to zero-emission maritime transportation.
Pascal Technologies’ core technology is based on decades of research and development. Since 2021, the company has rapidly grown under the leadership of CEO Carl Rehn, significantly shifting its focus towards commercialisation by building prototypes that prove the viability of the core technology and forging partnerships with some of the industry’s leading boat builders. Pascal has also expanded its team from 1 to 17 experts across fields such as naval architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, and software & cybernetics disciplines.
As a technology provider, Pascal Technologies aims to partner up with boat builders that share the same ambition of tackling maritime emissions. Speaking of the importance of partnerships, CEO Carl states: “In the last year, we have taken big steps commercially. Our partnerships are important for us to gain a market presence. At the same time, we are learning a great deal about how our technology can benefit different types of customers and their application areas”.
Carl continued: “Right now, we are working towards both leisure and commercial segments, gaining insights on the needs of each customer group to create products that exceed expectations.”
AirHull Technology
Pascal Technologies' AirHull is a proprietary hull technology designed to significantly reduce energy consumption for planing boats. By introducing a layer of air between the hull and the water, AirHull reduces friction, leading to net energy savings of typically 30-50%.
While AirHull technology draws on a foundation that dates back to its historical use in high-performance military vessels, Pascal's focus lies in reimagining its application towards accelerating the shift to sustainable boats.
This refined approach allows AirHull to cater to a broad spectrum of vessels. Combined with battery-electric propulsion, which has been Pascal’s main focus, the technology can enable a longer range in cruise speed. Otherwise, the technology will simply reduce the energy bill for regular fossil-fueled boats.
Funding and Prototype Milestones
Pascal secured a solid $6 million in funding in 2023, welcoming OceanZero, Katapult Ocean, and Grieg Edge as new investors. Stephen Petranek of Ocean Zero commented on the investment, stating: “We believe Pascal Technologies has the disruptive potential to eliminate fossil fuel consumption on consumer boats, work boats, ferries, and even the largest commercial ships at sea.”
Head of Ocean Ventures in Grieg Edge, Kjerstin Hernes, commented: “Innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption will be a vital part of the green shift in the maritime industry – and we want to be active in bringing those solutions to the markets. Pascal Technologies possesses exciting technology that aligns with this perspective, and their strong team and reliable partners further bolster their position.”
The company also completed a fully electric prototype vessel project funded by Innovation Norway. Conventional electric boats can struggle with limited range, Pascal’s prototype showcases the superior performance and long-range capability enabled by AirHull technology. The vessel with a length of 8 metres has a cruise speed of 20 knots and a range in cruise speed exceeding 35 Nautical Miles. Pascal is now using the prototype as a testing platform, testing integration with different propulsion systems.
The successful prototype validates the viability of Pascal’s core technology. Carl stated: “We are extremely proud to successfully launch this prototype. While new technologies might introduce more complexity for the users, it is key that our superior software and control systems ensure easy operation for the user through continuous optimization and learning, and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Operating a boat with AirHull technology is similar to operating a regular V-hull boat. Through this project, we have proven how our technology can achieve superior energy efficiency. We believe this is the future of electric boating.”
Strategic Partnerships and Expansion Into New Markets
In terms of partnerships, Pascal partnered with ALUKIN, part of Nimbus Group, and Evoy to design and build electric vessels with AirHull technology. The first vessel in this collaboration was launched at Boot Düsseldorf earlier this year, and the project is currently planning to launch further vessels.
Mats Jacobsson, Chief Technical Officer for Nimbus Group, commented on Pascal’s partnership with Evoy, stating: “The transition away from fossil fuels will require both new propulsion technology and new types of hull design. Through the partnership with Pascal Technologies and Evoy, we want to test technologies that could contribute to reducing energy consumption, thus facilitating the introduction of more sustainable boating.”
Further, to facilitate the expansion into wider markets, Pascal collaborates with Moen Marin AS to develop a long-range electric personal transport vessel for the aquaculture industry. “The aquaculture industry is looking for solutions to reduce their climate footprint and improve their profitability. Our technology is suitable for especially their crew transport operations where personnel needs to be transported cost-effectively to near-shore installations,” says Carl.
Carl continues “Since 2021, we have seen a big shift in our customers’ focus. They are also becoming more tech-savvy, and open to adopting innovative solutions for better efficiency and sustainability. The momentum for low and zero-emission solutions in the maritime industry is building and we are confident that this transition will accelerate further. All parts of the maritime industry are looking towards sustainable solutions and have the advantage of piggybacking on the valuable insights from the automotive sector transition.”
Visionary Leadership
CEO Carl, with a background in ship design from NTNU, transitioned from academia to consulting, specialising in shipping at Boston Consulting Group. In 2020, he joined Pascal Technologies as its first employee, driven by a shared vision with Professor Asgeir Sørensen, one of the company's owners. Pascal's board members, including Stephen Petranek and Glen Ole Rødland, bring extensive maritime industry experience to the table, enhancing the company's expertise and vision.
Carl states: “Our focus the past years has been to build the core product, the AirHull. The strategic priority has been to work with electric boats, and we have come far and can showcase industry-leading performance in terms of energy consumption for our electric vessels. We have made the right strategic partnerships and are well positioned to launch the technology into new markets and market segments”.
Looking Ahead
Pascal remains committed to refining its AirHull technology for vessels ranging from 6 to 30 metres. Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities to commercialise air technology in larger shipping and displacement vessels.
“Accelerating the shift to zero-emission boats is our immediate focus at Pascal Technologies, leveraging the momentum of the EV revolution in a boating market ready for change. Air-based friction reduction also has a great potential for industrial shipping. This dual focus not only positions us for immediate impact but also maps a clear growth trajectory into large-scale industrial shipping. We aim to be a leading technology provider within both areas, constantly working with solutions that reduce the maritime industry’s environmental footprint. The future is indeed promising, and we are fully committed to leading this journey." Carl Rehn,
For more information on Pascal, visit: pascaltech.com