Regent picks LR for Seaglider certification

German ferry line FRS and Brittany Ferries are amongst the many companies which have expressed interest in buying and/or financing Regent Craft Inc. The Rhode-Island company, whose name is an acronym for Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport, is developing all-electric ‘wing-in-ground’ (WIG) Seaglider vessels that can float, foil, or fly.

The WIG Seagliders operate within one wing-span of the water and are classed by the IMO as WIG ‘Type A’ craft. They are subject to maritime regulations and manned by specially trained marine navigators rather than airline pilots.

Following successful twelve-month trials of a prototype, Regent now plans to have a twelve-person ‘Viceroy’ craft in operation by mid-decade and has retained Lloyd’s Register to assist in the global certification process. Larger 100-person ‘Monarch’ units are likely to be deployed by 2030, the company said.

Regent chief executive and co-founder, Billy Thalmeier, revealed that the company already has an order book of 600 craft worth USD 9 billion and is receiving a constant stream of enquiries from interested parties. They include regional airlines, logistics operators, ferry firms, and defence corporations. Late in 2023, Regent signed a strategic partnership deal with TotalEnergies to explore the use of Seagliders to ferry personnel to and from offshore energy platforms.

Middle East investors, including the Abu Dhabi Strategic Development Fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the emirate’s Department of Municipalities and Transportation, and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Fund, are also engaged. They see scope to introduce the craft in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and, in due course, on routes across the Red Sea.

Early investors included various venture capital firms including 8090 Industries and Founders Fund, as well as potential customers including Japan Airlines, Mesa Air Group, and Lockheed Martin. Fitbit founder James Park is involved and early in May, Regent announced a USD 300 million deal with asset leasing company, Monte Maritime.  

Commenting on the tie-up with LR, Regent vice president, Ted Lester, said: “LR’s certification marks significant progress in Regent’s compliance pathway toward maritime operations. LR’s expertise in classification and compliance services, as well as its commitment to safety and advancing the path to net-zero emissions, make it an ideal partner for ensuring Seagliders meet required global standards now and in the future.”

Mark Darley, chief operating officer at LR, said: “Regent’s dedication to safe and sustainable solutions is providing the maritime industry with innovative zero-emissions passenger vessel Seagliders that could transform the future of coastal travel. LR is excited to join with Regent to proactively set international certification standards for new maritime transportation as the industry evolves.”

LR’s senior business development manager, Graeme Hyde, who has worked closely with the American company, highlighted the multidisciplinary capability of the development team. “The expertise across the Regent team is most impressive,” he said. “I was involved in detailed risk assessments recently and I noted the company’s wide expertise in a range of disciplines – not just aviation and maritime but also people who’ve been involved in the Americas Cup who understand hydrofoil technology better than anyone.

“Lloyd’s Register has the longest history of ensuring that vessels are safe and fit for purpose. We will use the same due diligence in cooperating with Regent to ensure that their fascinating technology is completely safe, that all of the risks are properly understood and mitigated, and that the assets are completely ready for deployment.”