BV ‘on track to classifying’ AirFish WIG craft

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has announced that it is ‘on track to classifying’ ST Engineering AirX’s AirFish – a wing-in-ground (WIG) craft that is designed to operate just above the water’s surface.

BV issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the AirFish – which it described as ‘a groundbreaking milestone in maritime transport innovation’ – in September 2024 and formally presented the certificate yesterday (26 March).

In a statement issued today, BV said that ST Engineering AirX has now begun fabrication of the first AirFish craft with a view to registering it for commercial operations in the second of this year.

The AirFish uses aerodynamic ground effect to achieve speeds of up to 100 knots (185 km/h) while gliding just above the water’s surface, which BV says will ‘offer a highly efficient and stable mode of transport’.  The craft will have seating for up to ten personnel including crew, or capacity for 1,000kg of cargo.

Image: BV