Plans unveiled for ‘world’s first’ hydrogen-electric WIGE vessel

October 1, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

US-based Sea Cheetah Corporation has entered into a strategic partnership with Toulouse-based hydrogen solutions expert H3 Dynamics to develop the “world’s first” hydrogen-electric wing-in-ground effect (WIGE) vessel and an ecosystem of fueling points.

As informed, Sea Cheetah’s WIGE vessels will be able to travel in and outside of ground effect at speeds exceeding 135 knots (250 kph / 155 mph). Flying a few meters above the water, the units will connect coastal and island regions.

The US-based firm stated that, even though it looks like an aircraft, the WIGE vessel will be classified and operated as a marine vessel.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has studied the application of rules based on the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC code) which was developed for fast ships such as hydrofoils, hovercraft, catamarans and the like.

In 2005, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), it was determined since the FAA only regulates flying vehicles above 50 feet., WIGE vessels fall out of the FAA’s jurisdiction. The IMO created the WIGE classification of ships and on May 18, 2018, and the guidelines for wing-in-ground effect were enacted.

As a result, WIGE vessels are being designed, built, and operated as marine/water vessels and not aircraft. The company emphasized that this eliminates the high costs of regulatory, commercial, technical and insurance liability associated with building and operating all airplanes.

Meanwhile, by working closely with H3 Dynamics, Sea Cheetah also plans to boost its hydrogen-electric propulsion system capability. The partners plan to deploy small, decentralized green hydrogen production systems named Sea Cheetah H2Hub and H2Hub Micro modules, to support rapid fueling and quick vessel turnaround.

“To achieve the availability of green hydrogen at point of use, we have developed the H2HubTM. These are ‘Pit Stops’ for Sea Cheetah’s Refueling and Replenishment Operations. Our craft will receive green hydrogen pumped into their compression tanks as they moor alongside the H2Hubs,” Sea Cheetah stated.

“Our hybrid hydrogen-powered powertrain enables Sea Cheetah’s WIGE vessels to achieve range and payload capacities that were not possible before with batteries, creating more applications and usability for such vessels in different parts of the world,” added Taras Wankewycz, CEO of H3 Dynamics.

“By combining our two companies’ advanced technologies into one platform, Sea Cheetah vessels will now be able to carry 3 times more payload than competing air- and watercraft, 10 times faster than boats, and 10 times more fuel efficient than aircraft,” Serge Markoff, Founder and CEO of Sea Cheetah, concluded.