Regent plans Abu Dhabi manufacturing as international Seaglider backlog surpasses U.S. demand

Regent says its international order book and backlog for Seagliders are larger than its domestic U.S. backlog, positioning the vessels as a global coastal-transport technology rather than only an island-hopping service. Potential U.S. launch markets include Miami–West Palm Beach–the Bahamas, New England routes to New York, West Coast routes, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.

The company identifies the Mediterranean, Japan and the Indo-Pacific as major international markets. It has a relationship with Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Development Fund, has established a joint venture in Abu Dhabi and plans to scale manufacturing there after its first global manufacturing center in Rhode Island.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also being considered as commercial markets because of heavily congested ground routes. Exact launch dates for individual routes and international production have not been announced, and it remains unclear which potential markets will enter operation first.