Dubai Becomes The Host of The Jet, A Hydrogen -Powered Ship That Floats Above The Water

The Jet, a new innovation hydrogen powered ship. (photo: doc. the Jet)

JAKARTA - The world's first hydrogen-powered ship, which can fly as high as three feet above water, will be built in Dubai next year. The ship, dubbed 'The Jet', is powered by two hydrogen fuel cells that produce no emissions while sailing over the waves 'in silence'.

Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by mixing hydrogen and oxygen in specially treated plates, which combine to form a larger fuel cell 'stack'.

The Jet will also use 'hydrofoils' – wing-like blades under the hull that cut through the water as the ship is moving, creating lift, similar to the aerofoils used in airplanes.

Once built, The Jet will reach 32 feet, weigh 6 tons and be capable of carrying up to 12 passengers plus a pilot over water at a cruising speed of up to 40 knots, or 46 miles per hour.

Jet Designer is a Swiss-based start-up THE JET ZeroEmission. They have signed an agreement with Zenith Marine Services UAE to manufacture the vehicle.

Dubai will also host the vehicle's first test run, in November 2023, to coincide with COP28, next year's UN Climate Change Conference.

THE JET ZeroEmission was founded by French yachtsman, Alain Thébault, and has managed to secure the required investment share of 10 million Euros (IDR 161 billion ) as part of the agreement. The company has not yet closed the investment, and is interested in discussing with potential new investors.

"We are pleased to make this announcement from Dubai, and to be able to manufacture and launch The Jet, which will be the first ship in the world to sail without noise, waves or emissions and have the capability of flying 80cm above the water," said Thébault, as quoted by Dailymail.

“Dubai is the ideal destination for innovators and companies from around the world to develop their innovative projects and achieve the success they desire, which is why we are announcing The Jet, a project I had the privilege of bearing with the team,” he said.

"We look forward to meeting those who are interested in this amazing flying boat at the 28th International Climate Summit (COP28 UAE) to be held in the UAE," he added.

According to THE JET ZeroEmission, The Jet will be primarily dedicated to serving hotel and “exclusive individual” transportation, and will be available in the most glamorous places in the world, such as Dubai.

"We let people experience curated boat trips, flying in silence and beauty over the most glamorous waters of beaches, rivers and lakes," he added.

The vehicle will be equipped with two fuel cells and air conditioning as well as other environmentally friendly technologies that help reduce carbon emissions.

Bringing The Jet to Dubai's waters will be a step forward for the clean technology industry, which is focused on greener alternatives to burning fossil fuels and other polluting resources.

In 2017, the UAE launched the Dubai 2050 Clean Energy Strategy. Under this Strategy, Dubai aims to generate 75 percent of its energy needs from clean sources by 2050.

The hydrofoil itself was first conceived by the Paris engineer Emmanuel Denis Farcot in 1869. Hydrofoil boats are faster than conventional design ships but are limited to medium size.