ST Engineering’s joint venture company with Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks), ST Engineering AirX, is to collaborate with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in the trials of AirX’s AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft in Singapore. AirX intends to trial both the single-engine and the dual-engine AirFish 8 prototypes, which can seat up to eight passengers. Vessels like the WIG craft, which operates just above the sea surface by using ground effect, are governed by the guidelines from the International Maritime Organization. The WIG craft utilises the same collision avoidance rules as conventional ships, and is much faster, fuel efficient and hence more sustainable compared to conventional ships.

The collaboration is a step towards realising the potential of such technology in areas such as maritime transportation and logistics services.

AirX will work with MPA to identify an area off Changi, Singapore, for the conduct of the trials. MPA will also ensure that measures are in place so that port operations will not be affected during the trials, including sending out advance notification to vessels and the public to keep clear of the area. The trials, which will contribute to the establishment of an Engineering and Certification Centre of Excellence for WIG in Singapore to further attract professionals into the maritime domain, are expected to commence from the third quarter of 2024 at a frequency of twice monthly.