New flying hydrogen boat celebrates UAE's pearl legacy

Clean energy craft unveiled at Dubai International Boat Show

The SeaBubbles X-Pearl takes to the water. Photo: SeaBubbles

A flying boat powered by hydrogen that celebrates the UAE's pearl legacy was unveiled at the Dubai International Boat Show on Thursday.

The vessel, called X-Pearl, has been designed to transport up to eight passengers “at the crossroads of the comfort of a luxury car, the convenience of a fast boat and the stability of a plane”, said French company SeaBubbles, which designed and built it.

SeaBubbles has signed an agreement with the UAE's Al Masaood Group for the development of hydrogen projects in the country.

The company envisages X-Pearl being used as a water taxi, VIP shuttle or private yacht. It can also be used for eco-tourism purposes in protected areas.

“Navigating on the SeaBubbles X-Pearl is as smooth for the passengers as it is for the environment … a sensation that mirrors a high-tech zero-emission flying pearl above the water,” said Virginie Seurat, vice president of SeaBubbles.

Dubai International Boat Show 2022 - in pictures

The 'Moonlight ll' with the Ain Dubai in the background. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Jacuzzi on the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show held at Dubai Harbour.

Inside view of the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

View from the deck of the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

A cabin on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

A sitting area on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

Inside view of the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

A sitting area on the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

Artwork on display at the plastic ocean exhibition at the Dubai International Boat Show.

A dining area on the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.

Yachts and boats on display at the Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai Harbour.

A view from 'Moonlight ll', the biggest superyacht at the boat show.

Visitors attend the boat show.

Different types of schooners, skiffs and yachts, as well as marine equipment and experts, have been brought to Dubai Harbour for the event.

A sitting area on the deck of 'Moonlight ll'.

This year's show features 800 brands and vessels from more than 54 countries, organisers say.

'Moonlight II' is so large that it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour – the venue of the boat show.

The 91.4-metre superyacht is designed for entertaining on an elite scale and can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins.

'Moonlight ll' has a cinema, helicopter pad, spa, beach club, lift, Jacuzzi, gym and room for a number of jet skis.

Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of events management at Dubai World Trade Centre attends the boat show.

It costs as much as €644,000 to rent 'Moonlight II' for a week – and that does not include fuel or food.

Views from the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.

The upper deck of the 'Moonlight ll'.

The five-deck 'Moonlight II' is not for sale and is owned by an Emirati.

Arni Brzac, captain of the 'Moonlight ll'.

Inside the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.

The BeachClub 660 Flybridge is designed to balance indoor and outdoor space.

Boat engines on display at the show.

This year's Dubai International Boat Show runs from March 9-13.

The boat operates by flying on submerged wings that lift the craft, in a manner similar to how a plane operates.

A hydrogen fuel cell generates the supply of electricity for the internal systems and propulsion pods, and a battery pack supports it during flight to balance its power needs.

The craft, which emits only water, is designed to rely on renewable energy sources.

Also, foils fitted on the boat reduce its “wetted surface area”, helping to optimise the on-board power usage. This represents a saving of 35 per cent of necessary power for the same speed, as compared with a regular boat, SeaBubbles said.

It was announced this year that the world's first hydrogen-powered hydrofoil is to be manufactured in Dubai.

The Jet ZeroEmission, a Switzerland-based start-up, signed an agreement with the UAE’s Zenith Marine Services and Dwyn to manufacture and operate what it called the first clean energy, hydrogen-powered “flying boat” called The Jet.

It has capacity for eight to 12 passengers and is equipped with two fuel cells and other environmentally friendly technology to help reduce carbon emissions.

The world's first hydrogen-powered flying boat, ‘The Jet’, is set to be manufactured and launched in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office