DHL Express has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with REGENT Craft, the US-based developer of all-electric Seaglider vessels, to explore deploying the cutting-edge craft for sustainable regional cargo transport.
REGENT’s Seaglider is a next-generation vessel that operates a few metres above the water’s surface using wing-in-ground (WIG) effect aerodynamics. The result is a craft that combines the speed of an aircraft with the accessibility and cost efficiency of maritime operations—delivering high-speed, all-electric transport with zero emissions.
Beginning January 2026, DHL Express will evaluate the Seaglider’s potential to enhance its short-haul, coastal, and island logistics operations across the Middle East. Pending successful trials and network modelling, DHL will consider expanding Seaglider deployment to other global markets.
“This collaboration marks another important milestone as we build a more sustainable and connected global logistics ecosystem,” said Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “Partnering with a global logistics pioneer like DHL allows us to demonstrate how Seagliders can enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and connect key trade routes across the Middle East and beyond.”
Bachi Spiga, VP Network Operations, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, said the partnership supports DHL’s global decarbonisation targets while strengthening regional logistics capability. “At DHL Express, we are constantly exploring innovative solutions that can help us decarbonise logistics while improving efficiency and service for customers. REGENT’s all-electric Seaglider represents a transformative step forward in sustainable maritime transport.”
The collaboration also aligns with the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced mobility manufacturing. In partnership with Strategic Development Fund (SDF)—part of EDGE Group—REGENT will begin producing Seagliders in the UAE before the end of the decade. The planned facility will operate alongside REGENT’s Rhode Island plant, which becomes operational in 2026. The UAE-based joint venture will also provide aftermarket services, including maintenance and parts distribution, supporting local industrial growth.
The partnership builds on multiple REGENT initiatives across the region. In 2024, Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre signed an MoU with the company to explore Seaglider integration into coastal mobility strategies. Earlier in 2025, ADNOC Logistics & Services selected the vessel for a proof-of-concept trial for shuttling offshore personnel.
The announcement comes as the Middle East’s role in global logistics continues to strengthen. DHL’s latest Global Connectedness Tracker—released with NYU Stern School of Business—highlights the region’s rising importance in international trade flows. DHL says investments in infrastructure, technology and sustainable mobility solutions will be critical to supporting high-growth industries such as life sciences, e-commerce and automotive.
“By exploring Seaglider deployment in the Middle East first, we are positioning our network to support customers in one of the world’s most dynamic logistics hubs,” Spiga added.
