There are short journeys that, even today, continue to depend on slow ships or air infrastructure that does not always make sense. In that middle space, a Singapore-based company has started to test a different alternative: a vehicle capable of moving at high speed without completely taking off from the water and without needing an airport. This is not an experimental concept, but rather an industrial program with a calendar, partners and routes being studied for 2026.
What type of vehicle is it exactly? The proposal is specified in the AirFish Voyagera device developed by the Singaporean company ST Engineering AirX that does not quite fit into either the boat or airplane categories. It is a type vehicle wing-in-ground (WIG) that moves just a few meters above the surface thanks to the so-called ground effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon that compresses the air between the wing and the water, generating additional lift and reducing resistance. This principle promises to reach speeds of around 185km/h, and reduce resistance compared to conventional maritime options.
The project advances. The public presentation took place at Singapore Airshow. According to the company, the vehicle is in the process of classification with Bureau Veritas since 2024, an international classification and certification society that must validate its safety before any regular operation, and whose resolution is expected in mid-2026. In parallel, the company has closed agreements with maritime transport operators to start services from the second half of that same year, always conditional on regulatory approvals.
The first specific route on the map. The most immediate agreement places the operational debut on the route between Singapore and Batam, in Indonesia, where the operator BatamFast plans to use a unit of the AirFish Voyager. ST Engineering places this start in the second half of 2026. It is estimated that the vehicle could complete this journey in around 25 minutes thanks to speeds, well above the usual times of conventional ferries. If this schedule is confirmed, the connection would become the first commercial route in the world operated with WIG technology.
The next deployment front is in India, where the operator Wings Over Water Ferries has announced its intention to lease and commission up to four units of the AirFish Voyager from the end of 2026. The initial strategy targets coastal states with strong tourism and regional transport demand, including Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In addition to the operation, the agreement contemplates exploring local assembly, manufacturing, training and maintenance capabilities, in line with the industrial initiatives promoted by the program. Make in India.
The regulatory and technical barrier. Beyond speed or agreements with operators, the determining factor continues to be the certification framework. The company proposes that the AirFish Voyager be governed by maritime standards, a decision that would reduce infrastructure requirements and facilitate its integration into existing coastal routes using conventional port facilities. However, as we say, you still need to complete your certification process, an essential step to start providing any commercial service.
Images | ST Engineering AirX
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