UAE could soon manufacture its first flying boat

The UAE’s first flying boat is a reality and might soon be constructed locally, thanks to a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked at the region’s largest and most-popular recreational maritime event, Dubai International Boat Show 2022.

The X-Pearl, inspired by the Emirates’ pearl-diving legacy, is the creation of pioneering French business SeaBubbles and is available for purchase. It is driven by a hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion system and retractable foils. While scaled copies of its flagship H2 and X-Pearl were presented at Dubai Harbour on Wednesday, the business aims to have the limited-edition UAE model whizzing down Dubai Creek, Dubai Canal, or Abu Dhabi Corniche before next year’s COP28.

At the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show, SeaBubbles took advantage of the nautical extravaganza to sign an MoU with local solutions provider Al Masaood Power Division. Both parties will work together to pilot and evaluate the performance of hydrogen-powered flying boats, manufacture and maintain operations in the Emirates, and refit existing boats with SeaBubbles’ sustainable powertrain technology.

“The Dubai International Boat Show is iconic, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to reveal the X-Pearl to an international audience and showcase that we are moving towards this ecological transition together with Al Masaood,” said Virginie Seurat, Vice President of SeaBubbles. “The MoU agreement marks another step forward in terms of driving hydrogen mobility in the UAE. With COP28 coming to the Emirates next year, we are very excited to strengthen our local ties.”

SeaBubbles’ vessels can accommodate up to 12 people and a pilot, making them perfect for a variety of water mobility options, including electric passenger vessels, zero-emission water taxis, VIP shuttles, and even inter-city transfers. It also provides a solution for eco-tourism sightseeing trips in protected areas such as the Eastern Mangroves wetland reserves by causing minimum wake and water disturbance.

“This is the return of the Dubai International Boat Show after two years, so while the show starts a new cycle, we also start something new and exciting with this partnership with SeaBubbles,” said Rasso Bartenschlager, General Manager of Al Masaood Power Division. “The X-Pearl, by emitting only water, demonstrates our commitment to sustainable solutions and we are honoured to sign this ground-breaking partnership that will help drive green mobility for future generations.”    

The unique technology of SeaBubbles offers a more environmentally friendly future thanks to its hydrogen fuel cells, which create the electrical supply for the interior systems and propulsion pods while a battery pack maintains it during flight. This hybrid idea relies entirely on renewable energy sources, while its foils minimise wetted surface area and hence power consumption, resulting in a ship that is 35% more energy-efficient than a standard boat. Both the H2 and the X-Pearl are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50kph.