AIRCAT 35 MaxPax

The AIRCAT 35 MaxPax is a high-capacity passenger ferry concept developed around AIRCAT's Surface Effect Ship (SES) platform for fast and comfortable inter-island connections, commuter routes, and high-volume coastal passenger services.

The project was developed in response to the observation that many conventional ferries currently operating on regional and inter-island routes remain relatively slow and can expose passengers to significant discomfort and seasickness, even in moderate sea conditions. On many routes, passengers may spend several hours onboard conventional ferries in difficult comfort conditions because air transport remains financially inaccessible to a large part of the population.

The AIRCAT 35 MaxPax was therefore conceived as an alternative capable of significantly reducing transit times while improving passenger comfort and overall travel experience. By combining catamaran hulls with SES air-cushion technology, the vessel benefits from reduced hydrodynamic resistance, high transit speeds, and improved motion behaviour compared to conventional displacement ferries, making it possible to perform certain routes in a fraction of the transit time traditionally required.

The Ride Control System (RCS), inherent to the SES platform, helps reduce vessel motions during transit, contributing to a smoother and more comfortable passenger experience, including on routes where conventional ferries may become uncomfortable for long periods of time.

The AIRCAT 35 MaxPax illustrates the potential application of SES technology beyond offshore operations, particularly for regional passenger transport markets where faster and more comfortable maritime transport could offer an attractive alternative to short-haul air travel on certain routes while remaining more accessible to a wider range of passengers.