Seagliders, a cutting-edge mode of transportation, combine velocity of an aircraft with convenience of a boat, presenting a sustainable & inventive transport option within Kingdom.
NEOM, the transformative giga-project in Saudi Arabia, has solidified a key investment deal with the US-based electric seaglider manufacturer, REGENT, in a bid to revolutionize transportation offerings.
Seagliders, a cutting-edge mode of transportation, combine the velocity of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat, presenting a sustainable and inventive transport option within the Kingdom.
This partnership underscores NEOM’s dedication to constructing an integrated, sustainable, and shared mobility system as part of its ambitious vision.
Through its strategic arm, the NEOM Investment Fund, the project has announced that this collaboration with the US-based electric seaglider manufacturer, REGENT is a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership. The aim is to fortify NEOM’s proficiency in sustainable water mobility, delivering state-of-the-art water transport services to the region.
As part of this agreement, REGENT commits to establishing a research and development hub, along with a training center, in the Middle East. Starting in 2024, young Saudi engineers and tech graduates employed by NEOM will engage with cutting-edge technology through work placements.
Majid Mufti, CEO of NEOM Investment Fund, stated, “We have worked closely with NEOM’s mobility sector to identify exciting opportunities, such as this, which can further NEOM’s goals in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. These innovative, electric seagliders will contribute to our progress toward zero-carbon operations.”
Terry Wong, the Executive Director of Land Mobility at NEOM, emphasized that seagliders are a pioneering facet of NEOM Mobility’s endeavor to create the world’s first truly sustainable, shared, secure, and seamless multi-modal transport system. Wong further noted that the seagliders will connect key destinations spanning 468 km of coastline, aligning with their belief in zero-carbon technologies and the growth of new industries and skills within the Kingdom.
Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT, expressed alignment between NEOM’s mission to construct a carbon-neutral community and REGENT’s goal to establish sustainable connections via seagliders. He highlighted that these vehicles operate on wave-tolerant hydrofoils in harbors and can achieve speeds of up to 289 km per hour while flying within one wingspan of the water’s surface.
REGENT’s flagship seaglider is the Viceroy, which can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
This strategic move by NEOM demonstrates a visionary approach toward innovative and sustainable transportation solutions, further cementing the project’s commitment to shaping a future where environmental sustainability is paramount in the Kingdom’s development efforts. The partnership with REGENT marks a pivotal step towards realizing these ambitious goals.