The UAE’s transportation landscape is set for a remarkable addition as Regent Craft prepares to introduce their innovative Seaglider – an all-electric maritime vessel that promises to transform coastal travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Speed Meets Affordability
The Seaglider combines impressive capabilities:
- Achieves speeds matching helicopters
- Offers fares at Dh165 between Dubai Marina and Abu Dhabi Marina
- Operates on all-electric power
- Covers distances up to 300km with current battery technology
- Potential range extension to 800km with future battery advances
How Seaglider Works
The vessel operates through three distinct phases:
- Float Mode: The craft uses standard dock infrastructure for passenger boarding and low-speed manoeuvring.
- Foil Mode: Hydrofoils lift the hull above water, reducing resistance and managing wave impact.
- Flight Mode: The vessel achieves speeds up to 300kmph using ground effect principles, maintaining position within one wingspan of the water’s surface.
UAE Manufacturing and Development
The UAE stands at the forefront of this transportation innovation:
- Manufacturing facilities planned at the SAVI cluster in Masdar City
- Partnership established with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)
- Local workforce development and supply chain integration
Timeline and Progress
Billy Thalheimer, Regent Craft’s founder and CEO, shared key milestones:
- Prototype testing scheduled for summer 2025
- Commercial launch expected late 2026 or early 2027
- Global orders exceeding $9 billion across six continents
- Investment backing of $90 million from Strategic Development Fund, Neom, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin
Safety and Implementation
The Seaglider adheres to rigorous safety standards:
- Built to match modern aircraft and watercraft safety requirements
- Uses existing dock infrastructure
- Operates on established water routes
- Provides all-electric, environmentally conscious transport
JobXDubai 
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