en.Wedoany.com Reported - On June 10, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that it has reached an agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL), Lloyd's Register (LR) of the UK, and Regent Craft, a US startup specializing in electric marine gliders, to jointly develop the "Seaglider," a fully electric ground effect wing ship with a maximum speed of 300 km/h, and to implement ship certification and operational approval processes. This marks the first time a Japanese company has collaborated with a classification society to advance the commercialization of ground effect wing ships.
A ground effect wing ship, also known as a "seaplane," is a new type of waterborne vehicle that combines maritime navigation and low-altitude flight capabilities. It is currently being developed as an innovative and sustainable transportation infrastructure solution, particularly suitable for passenger and cargo services connecting coastal cities and serving remote island routes. It is understood that the ground effect wing ship being commercialized through this four-party collaboration is designed to achieve high-speed transport at a maximum speed of 300 km/h, while offering exceptional energy efficiency and zero-emission capabilities.
MOL stated that it will work with JAL to develop new passenger and cargo markets for this ground effect wing ship. In addition to investing in Regent Craft, MOL and JAL will combine their respective experience in safe operations with Regent Craft's technical expertise to ensure the safety and reliability of the ground effect wing ship, thereby laying the foundation for commercialization.
Under the agreement, LR will serve as an independent third-party advisor, providing technical, safety, and regulatory guidance. MOL and JAL will collaborate with Regent Craft to establish a comprehensive and systematic certification and approval process framework in Japan. Through this four-party cooperation, MOL will further strengthen communication with relevant Japanese government agencies and continue to advance toward the goal of achieving commercial operations of this ground effect wing ship in Japan around 2030.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
