ST Engineering’s hovercraft-like AirFish set to ply Singapore-Batam route from second half of 2026
ST Engineering will also work with operator Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW) to bring the service to India
[SINGAPORE] The AirFish, a hovercraft-like vessel that skims over water, is set to start taking passengers from Singapore to Batam from the second half of 2026.
Unveiling this at a ceremony on the first day of the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday (Feb 3), home-grown technology and engineering group ST Engineering said that ST Engineering AirX will enter a strategic partnership with ferry operator BatamFast to run this service.
ST Engineering AirX is a joint venture between the group and Singapore-based start-up Peluca. BatamFast currently operates 18 trips from Singapore to Batam in Indonesia each day.
Operations between Singapore and Batam are expected to start in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, said ST Engineering.
It added that ST Engineering AirX and BatamFast will also explore opportunities to expand into new destinations across South-east Asia.
ST Engineering added that it will also work with operator Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW) to bring the service to India.
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WOW will lease and operate up to four AirFish craft, beginning in late 2026, with the start of operations subject to route approvals by local authorities.
The AirFish Voyager, designed to carry eight passengers and two crew, will be deployed on these routes. It is currently being assembled in Singapore.
Measuring 17m long and 15m wide, this wing-in-ground or waterborne craft operates on the principle of ground effect to skim above the water’s surface.
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Ground effect improves the lifting characteristics of an aircraft’s wing when it is near the ground. Air beneath a wing is compressed when it is close to the ground, creating a cushioning effect.
The AirFish Voyager can skim above the waves at 100 knots, which is significantly faster than typical seagoing fast ferries that tend to travel at 30 knots. It can cover distances of up to 300 nautical miles.
Since 2024, ST Engineering AirX has been partnering Bureau Veritas, a testing, inspection and certification provider, on the classification and certification of the AirFish craft.
It is expected to be certified by mid-2026. THE STRAITS TIMES
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