TLDR:
- MOL Switch, the venture capital arm of Mitsui OSK Lines, has made a strategic investment in US company Regent Craft, which is developing wing-in-ground craft technology.
- Regent claims to have received over 600 seaglider orders worth more than $9 billion from leading airline and ferry operators.
Mitsui OSK Lines’ venture capital arm, MOL Switch, has made a strategic investment in US company Regent Craft, which is developing wing-in-ground (WiG) craft technology. Regent Craft, known for its innovative “seaglider” technology, has received over 600 seaglider orders valued at more than $9 billion from airline and ferry operators. This investment from MOL Switch aims to support Regent Craft in bringing its seaglider technology to Japan.
The seagliders developed by Regent Craft, such as the 12-passenger Viceroy, can travel at speeds of up to 180 mph and service routes up to 180 miles on a single charge. The company is also planning a 100-passenger Monarch, which is expected to be on the water by the end of the decade. In addition to MOL’s investment, Japan Airlines Innovation Fund and Yamato Holdings have also invested in Regent Craft, indicating a growing interest in WiG technology in Japan.
Regent Craft’s seaglider technology is seen as providing affordable, convenient, and sustainable transportation options in Japan, particularly given that 80% of the population lives on or near coastal areas. The company’s focus on environmental conservation aligns with MOL’s core mission to apply innovative technology and services to advance sustainability in the maritime industry. Overall, this investment represents a significant step forward in the adoption of seaglider technology in Japan.
