Transportation officials in Scotland are evaluating the possibility of replacing aging ferries with seagliders being developed by U.S. start-up Regent Craft. Earlier this month, the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), which is backed by the Scottish government, launched a partnership with the manufacturer that could lead to the 12-passenger Viceroy vessel being deployed on maritime connections to and from islands and other remote communities.
The study will explore how the electric seagliders might operate on routes connecting the Western Isles, the Orkney Islands, and parts of the Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute. HITRANS, which received a new mandate from the Scottish government this year, is one of seven regional transportation partnerships in Scotland and is responsible for about 50% of the country’s total landmass. The agency has been struggling with disruption and rising costs for ferry services using aging ships.
Rhode Island-based Regent is aiming to be ready to start delivering the Viceroy from 2027 after completing certification under maritime regulations. With a wingspan of 65 feet, the seaglider is design to operate in wing-in-ground-effect mode just a few feet above the water, or on its hull or hydrofoils, and at speeds of up to 160 knots.
In the longer term, Regent aims to produce a larger seaglider called the Monarch that would carry 100 passengers. The company has reported a backlog of prospective orders valued at $10 billion with prospective customers including U.S. commuter airline Southern Airways Express, South Florida start-up UrbanLink, freight operator UME Shipping, New Zealand’s Ocean Flyer and Croatian ferry operator Split Express.
In July, Regent announced plans for a military version of the Viceroy that could operate autonomously for possible Navy and Marine missions. The company has launched a strategic partnership around this project with Fairlead, which specializes in ship repairs, fabrication and systems integration.