Flying Fish To Soar in Singapore Waters

ST Engineering AirX’s wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) craft, the AirFish Voyager, is on track to enter service later this year with Singaporean ferry operator BatamFast. The start of commercial operations is subject to International Maritime Organization certification of the vessel, which AirX—a joint venture between ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly Wigetworks)—expects to obtain in mid-2026.

Regional ferry operator BatamFast will lease and operate one 10-seat AirFish to service an initial route between Singapore and Indonesia’s Batam, set to commence in the second half of this year. Additional routes within Southeast Asia will follow. BatamFast general manager Chua Choon Leng said he believes that the adoption of the WIG craft will allow the company to extend “its reach and impact across coastal communities and beyond.”

With the first harbor and flight tests set to commence in the coming months, AirX is confident that its vessel is optimized for island-hopping, offering a smoother ride at three or four times the speed of conventional ferries. Alongside tourism, the company says that other missions could include logistics and surveillance in littoral waters. Target annual production rates will start at six to 12 units before rising to 36, depending on market uptake, according to AirX.

Meanwhile, Wings Over Water Ferries intends to purchase four Airfish maritime vessels to operate in India from late 2026, subject to local regulatory approval. Initial use cases will focus on “high-demand coastal states and sectors with strong tourism, commuter, and regional connectivity potential,” according to AirX. The partners will also explore local assembly, manufacturing, training, and maintenance opportunities in India.