Details of the Partnership

The collaboration between Sea Cheetah and H3 Dynamics focuses on leveraging their respective expertise in marine transport and hydrogen propulsion technology. H3 Dynamics, with offices in Toulouse, France, and Austin, Texas, will contribute its hydrogen-electric powertrain technology to the project, enhancing the vessel's range and efficiency.

Unique Features of the Sea Cheetah WIGE

The "Wing-in-Ground Effect" (WIGE) technology allows the Sea Cheetah craft to fly just a few meters above the water's surface, utilizing aerodynamic principles for high-speed travel. This vessel is capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and offers significant load-carrying capabilities, purportedly three times that of comparable nautical or aerial vehicles.

Regulatory and Environmental Advantages

One of the unique aspects of the Sea Cheetah WIGE is its classification under maritime rather than aviation regulations in the U.S. Because it operates below 50 feet, the craft does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but is instead regulated by maritime authorities according to the International Maritime Organization’s guidelines for WIGE ships (MSC.1/Circ.1592).

Hydrogen Infrastructure Development

In addition to developing the vessel, the partnership aims to establish a hydrogen production and distribution network. This includes the creation of the Sea Cheetah H2Hub™ and H2Hub Micro™ modules, which are intended to provide decentralized green hydrogen production, enabling rapid fueling and quick vessel turnaround times.

Comments from the CEOs

Taras Wankewycz, CEO of H3 Dynamics, highlighted the company's role in the project, emphasizing the integration of their advanced hydrogen propulsion systems into the Sea Cheetah WIGE. “Our hybrid hydrogen-powered powertrain enables Sea Cheetah’s WIGE vessels to achieve range and payload capacities that were not possible before with batteries, creating more applications and usability for such vessels in different parts of the world,”

Serge Markoff, founder and CEO of Sea Cheetah explained “By combining our two companies’ advanced technologies into one platform, Sea Cheetah vessels will now be able to carry 3 times more payload than competing air- and watercraft, 10 times faster than boats, and 10 times more fuel efficient than aircraft.”

Broader Impact

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the adoption of green technologies in the maritime sector, with potential implications for reducing carbon emissions in coastal and inter-island transport. By integrating cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology and innovative ship design, Sea Cheetah and H3 Dynamics are poised to lead the way in eco-friendly transportation solutions for marine applications.

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