Transportation officials in Scotland are evaluating the possibility of replacing aging ferries with seagliders being developed by U.S. start-up Regent Craft. Earlier this month, the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), which is backed by the Scottish government, launched a partnership with the manufacturer that could lead to the 12-passenger Viceroy vessel being deployed on maritime connections to and from islands and other remote communities.
The study will explore how the electric seagliders might operate on routes connecting the Western Isles, the Orkney Islands, and parts of the Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute. HITRANS, which received a new mandate from the Scottish government this year, is one of seven regional transportation partnerships in Scotland and is responsible for about 50% of the country’s total landmass. The agency has been struggling with disruption and rising costs for ferry services using aging ships.
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