ST Engineering has announced that its joint venture, ST Engineering AirX, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Eurasia Mobility Solutions (EMS) for up to ten AirFish wing-in-ground (WIG) craft, with an option for an additional ten. The agreement entails the customisation and delivery of the ten-seater AirFish 8, starting from 2025, catering to Türkiye’s tourism and private transportation sectors.
The AirFish WIG craft, utilising aerodynamic forces for fuel efficiency and high-speed travel on water surfaces, represents a ground-breaking marine transport solution. ST Engineering AirX, the original equipment manufacturer, partnered with Peluca in 2023 to establish ST Engineering AirX, aiming to capitalise on the potential of WIG technology and commercialise the AirFish-family of WIG craft.
Kubilay Ilgin, founder of Eurasia Mobility Solutions, stated, “AirFish 8 offers a safe, sustainable and faster solution to conveniently reach places without any port or runway. This new technology will change the rules of marine transportation and create new trends in Türkiye.”
Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying, “This is a significant milestone for ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business as we scale up our engineering and original manufacturing capabilities to develop more innovative and sustainable solutions that connect people and goods along some of the earth’s vast coastal areas.”
The AirFish 8, capable of taking off and landing on water without the need for dedicated infrastructure, offers a convenient option for maritime public transport, logistics services and potential military applications in littoral waters. With a capacity for ten passengers or 1,000 kg of logistics, the AirFish 8 can travel up to 90 knots, positioning itself as one of the fastest marine craft in operation. Certification and market entry are anticipated by 2025, making it a compelling alternative to ferries, helicopters and seaplanes.
New start-up Eurasia Mobility Solutions (EMS), founded by Kubilay Ilgin in 2023, is a smart urban mobility solutions provider headquartered in Istanbul, Türkiye.