In a milestone for maritime logistics, REGENT Craft and DHL Express have partnered to explore the deployment of all-electric “Seaglider” vessels for cargo transport across regional and coastal trade lanes.
The collaboration spotlights the pairing of REGENT’s next-generation Seaglider vessels with DHL’s express-cargo network. Initially, REGENT and DHL will focus on short-haul, coastal, and island-logistics applications in the Middle East, with a view to broader global deployment thereafter.
According to the announcement, the collaboration will begin in January 2026. DHL Express will evaluate how to integrate REGENT’s Seagliders into its regional logistics operations - aiming for zero-emission transport, faster transit times, and improved efficiency.
What’s a Seaglider?
REGENT’s Seaglider vessels are all-electric hydrofoiling craft that operate close to the water’s surface, leveraging the wing-in-ground (WIG) effect to combine the speed of an aircraft with the flexibility of a boat.
They are designed to:
Float on the hull in harbors,
Foil using retractable hydrofoils for smoother transit, and
Fly in ground-effect mode just above the water surface for higher speeds.
According to REGENT, its Seagliders can reach up to approximately 180 mph for routes up to 180 miles on existing batteries.
Zero-emission Marine Mobility
For DHL Express, the agreement marks a concrete step toward decarbonising cargo transport - especially in coastal, island- and inter-regional corridors where traditional shipping or air freight either is slow or carbon-intensive.
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By leveraging Seagliders, the company can tap into zero-emission marine mobility that also offers higher speed than typical vessels.
For REGENT, the partnership offers a marquee logistics customer and a practical use-case for its technology outside of passenger or defense applications. It supports the company’s mission to bring its Seaglider technology to commercial markets.
Geography and Scale
The Middle East launch makes strategic sense: a region with many island and coastal logistics challenges, growing sustainability ambitions, and a strong commitment to infrastructure innovation. REGENT already has several ties in the region, including manufacturing and JV developments in the UAE.
Bachi Spiga, VP Network Operations, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, said: “At DHL Express, we are constantly exploring innovative solutions that can help us decarbonize logistics while improving efficiency and service for our customers.
"REGENT’s all-electric Seaglider represents a transformative step forward in sustainable maritime transport. Through this partnership, we aim to explore how this technology can enhance our regional and global operations - starting here in the Middle East, one of the world’s most dynamic logistics hubs.”
Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT, said: “This collaboration marks another important milestone as we build a more sustainable and connected global logistics ecosystem.
"Partnering with a global logistics pioneer like DHL allows us to demonstrate how Seaglider vessels can enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and connect key trade routes across the Middle East and beyond.”
REGENT's Middle East Collaborations
Building on the strong progress already established in recent years, REGENT plans to announce further partnerships in the region that will help accelerate time to market and deliver further value to the local economy. REGENT’s existing collaborations in the Middle East include:
A joint venture with Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm and part of EDGE Group, to bring manufacturing and aftermarket services for Seagliders to the UAE
Selection by ADNOC L&S for a proof-of-concept trial to assess suitability for transporting personnel to and from offshore energy infrastructure earlier in 2025
An agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to explore development and manufacturing capabilities in Abu Dhabi.
An agreement with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transportation (DOT) to integrate seaglider service into the existing UAE transportation network.
Partnership with Abu Dhabi Maritime to explore the feasibility of electric seagliders as a mode of transportation on Abu Dhabi waterways.
Partnership with maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register and ongoing collaboration with the UAE Marine Transport Affairs Department to advance seaglider maritime certification in the country
The DHL project sets the stage for scaled deployment of the Seaglider craft within DHL’s network. Observers view this as a shift toward digital-and-mobility-driven logistics innovation in the marine domain.
Challenges and Outlook
There are, however, regulatory and operational challenges in implementing such a revolutionary transport system on the ground - or on the sea, in this case.
Seaglider craft are still early in commercial deployment, and certification pathways (such as with Lloyd’s Register) are still being defined. Meanwhile, DHL will need to evaluate port-and-dock infrastructure readiness, battery-charging logistics, vessel maintenance, and integration with existing supply-chain flows.
Nevertheless, the agreement signals that zero-emission maritime logistics is moving from concept to collaboration. If successfully scaled, it may mark a meaningful step toward low-carbon cargo transport across coastal and island routes globally.
This marriage of advanced electric maritime technology with global logistics expertise underscores how the logistics sector is increasingly turning to novel vessel types and zero-emission mobility to meet the dual imperatives of speed and sustainability.
The coming months will reveal how quickly the Seaglider concept can move from pilot phase to operational reality in DHL’s global network.
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