Video: Brittany Ferries considers zero-emission “flying ferries”
All-electric “sea skimmers” could provide new high-speed transport link.
By Marc Allen
Brittany Ferries has announced that it is evaluating the potential of a unique all-electric vehicle called a seaglider. The innovative craft foils like a hydrofoil and flies like a plane, reaching speeds of 180mph — six times faster than conventional ferries.
It has the comfort and convenience of a ferry and could soon be whisking up to 150 passengers from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in as little as 40minutes.
The so-called “wing-in-ground” vehicle (WIG) is being developed by the Boston start-up REGENT (Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport) and is projected to enter service as early as 2028.
“Seaglider is an attractive and exciting concept and we look forward to working with REGENT in the months and years to come,” said Frédéric Pouget, ports and operations director for Brittany Ferries.
“We are particularly pleased to contribute now because it means we can bring real-world challenges and potential applications into the company’s thinking at an early stage…”
