Redefining Maritime Travel and Logistics with the AirFish 8

Maritime transportation presents unique challenges compared to land and air travel, such as waterway pollution and lower speeds. However, these limitations also open the door for innovation.

How can we reach isolated coastal communities more quickly, make sea travel more comfortable and sustainable, and enhance the efficiency of parapublic services and rescue missions in open waters?

Enter the AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft, a game-changing maritime platform developed by our joint venture ST Engineering AirX, formed between ST Engineering and Peluca. A craft that is faster than a ferry, safer than a helicopter and quieter than a seaplane. 

The concept of WIG craft or “flying ships” first emerged in the 1930s, but it never took flight until the 21st century. The WIG effect harnesses ground effect, the phenomenon whereby a flight that is close to a surface exhibits more efficient aerodynamics, but in the early years, WIG vessels faced challenges such as unstable take-offs and low payload due to hydrodynamic drag. 

 The AirFish 8 overcomes these issues with design improvements to the hull and sponson geometry, significantly reducing hump drag and ensuring stable take-offs. The craft's structure, made from fibre-reinforced plastic, combines high durability with lightweight properties, maximising aerodynamic performance and better absorbing impacts during take-off, landing, and wing-tip strikes. Once airborne, the AirFish 8 is unaffected by sea conditions, providing a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers. 

Outside of the AirFish 8’s enhanced design and material choice, the propulsion system was also a key design consideration. The AirFish 8 is equipped with two gasoline automotive engines driving air propellers, making it lighter, more cost-effective, and easily refuelled or repaired even in remote areas. 

All of these design choices have culminated in a 10-seater WIG craft that travels with a cruising speed of 90 knots, three times faster than typical marine vessels. The craft’s combination of efficient aerodynamics and hydrodynamics marks a significant milestone in our six-year-long R&D efforts. 

Aside from its hardware design, the AirFish 8 features aircraft avionics and marine-class navigation systems such as anti-collision radar, flight data readings, audio alerts, and modern communication systems to safely traverse the seas. These capabilities ensure safe maritime navigation without complex flight control setups. Beyond meeting International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety standards, the AirFish family of WIG craft has also undergone over 350 flight trials to prove its flightworthiness. 

Notably, the AirFish 8 is not only safer for passengers, but also more friendly for the environment. A study commissioned from Alton Aviation Consultancy revealed that it has greater fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to seaplanes (-35%), helicopters (-40%) and high-speed ferries (-15%) of similar size. 

These features mark the AirFish 8 as a pioneer in safer and more sustainable maritime travel, with diverse potential applications ranging from commercial tourism and goods delivery to first responder services in coastal areas, maritime patrols, and underwater searches. 

To expedite the AirFish 8’s certification and market entry, we are collaborating with various industry leaders in various areas. These include a partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to carry out sea trials of the AirFish 8 in Singapore; working with classification society Bureau Veritas to classify and certify the AirFish 8; and collaborating with the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore to test, enhance and validate the AirFish 8‘s design. 

Additionally, through partnerships with Institutes of Higher Learning, we aim to develop training programmes for WIG craft captains, engineers, and technicians, promoting greater familiarity with the craft and establishing WIG satellite centres worldwide.

As we continue to advance R&D on WIG technology, future iterations of the AirFish could also feature autonomous systems and electric or hydrogen engines. The future of maritime transportation has never looked brighter.