An agreement signed between the US maritime company Regent and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office will pave the way for the construction of high-speed Seagliders in the UAE. These Seagliders, designed to travel swiftly over water, will integrate into the UAE's transportation network, particularly focusing on key routes such as those servicing Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island.
Regent's innovative craft, the Viceroy, utilizes wing-in-ground effect technology to achieve speeds of up to 290kph, significantly reducing travel times between coastal cities. Currently in development, the Viceroy is undergoing testing with a full-scale model slated for production next year. The company has garnered substantial support, securing $60 million in Series A Funding from various sources including Abu Dhabi's Strategic Development Funds and Neom Investment Fund.
With a backlog of orders exceeding $9 billion, Regent anticipates a transformative impact on regional coastal transport. Collaborating with Abu Dhabi, Regent plans to localize Seaglider manufacturing in the region, aiming to establish facilities by the end of the decade. This initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader vision for transportation innovation, as evidenced by the establishment of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (Savi) cluster in Masdar City.
Badr Al Olama, Director General of Adio, expresses confidence in Regent's ability to shape the future of coastal transportation, foreseeing global deployment of electric Seagliders. Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport has already laid plans to incorporate Seagliders into its network, beginning with routes to Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island.
The Seagliders' versatility and efficiency offer solutions to current transportation challenges, particularly evident in regions like Delma Island where limited flight options hinder accessibility to essential services. Moreover, the integration of Seagliders aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader efforts to enhance transportation infrastructure and offer smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions.
Regent's Seagliders represent a significant advancement in transportation technology, leveraging wing-in-ground effect principles to achieve remarkable speeds and efficiency. With plans for both short-range and long-range variants, Regent aims to revolutionize inter-city connectivity and facilitate smoother, faster travel experiences for commuters across the UAE.
Looking ahead, Regent envisions a future where Seagliders play a pivotal role in regional transport, offering unparalleled speed, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. As development progresses and manufacturing ramps up in Abu Dhabi, the UAE stands poised to lead the way in pioneering coastal transportation solutions that redefine the possibilities of travel in the 21st century.
