World's first hydrogen-powered boat to fly across Dubai waters

Swiss start-up THE JET ZeroEmission has signed an agreement with UAE-based Zenith Marine Services and DWYN LLC to manufacture and operate the world’s first clean-energy, hydrogen-powered flying boat, the company said.

Featuring cutting-edge technologies, THE JET boasts an iconic design and can fly in silence over the waters at a cruising speed of 40 knots, according to the manufacturer. The luxurious boat can board up to 12 passengers and is equipped with two fuel cells and an air conditioner as well as other clean-tech, environmentally friendly technologies that help reduce carbon emissions.

The boat’s global premiere will be held in Dubai, and it will be one of the key attractions at COP28 that will be hosted in the UAE in 2023, the company said in a statement.

“We are pleased to make this announcement from Dubai and be able to manufacture and launch ‘THE JET’, which is going to be the world’s first boat to sail without noise, waves, or emissions and have the capability of flying 80cm above the waters,” Alain Thébault, founder of THE JET ZeroEmission and a world sailing speed record holder in 2009, said in the statement.

Energy-rich Gulf states have been pushing to embrace clean and renewable energy in a thrust towards sustainability. Under the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, the city aims to produce 75 percent of its energy requirements from clean sources by 2050.

Saudi Arabia has signed a slew of agreements with the planned carbon-free city of Neom to develop hydrogen fuel cell-based transportation.