'Flying Ships' Eyed for Inter-Island Freight
RAMPS Logistics is reportedly planning to introduce 'flying ships' to the Caribbean. This new technology, likely low-altitude cargo drones, could dramatically slash lead times for critical supplies between islands, bypassing port congestion and underdeveloped infrastructure.
The logistics firm's partner in this venture is Flying Ship Technologies, Corp., which is developing a line of autonomous, all-electric, wing-in-ground-effect vessels. These "flying ships" are classified as maritime vessels, not aircraft, and fly on a cushion of air just over the water's surface, enabling them to be ten times faster than conventional boats while avoiding port congestion. The initial semi-autonomous vessels are planned to be 36 feet long, with a maximum payload of approximately 2,500 pounds and a range exceeding 300 nautical miles. Future models are projected to carry between 50 and 6,000 pounds with a range of up to 2,300 miles, offering scalable options for different cargo needs. The technology is designed to serve virtually any coastline, capable of docking at existing marinas, beaches, or boat ramps. This new transport method directly targets the Caribbean's severe logistics challenges, including high port handling charges that are two to three times the global average. In ports like Guatemala's Puerto Quetzal and the Dominican Republic's Caucedo terminal, yard utilization has recently reached as high as 121% and 91% respectively, causing significant delays. For resort operators, this could mean bypassing the domino effect of regional port congestion, where rerouted vessels and scheduling conflicts create unpredictable and lengthy delivery timelines for critical supplies. The "flying ships" offer a direct ship-to-shore and inter-island solution, avoiding the infrastructure bottlenecks that currently strain inventory management and increase operating expenses for businesses in the region. The introduction of these unmanned vessels aligns with a broader push for new maritime regulations. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing a code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), which is expected to be ready for voluntary use in 2025, with a mandatory code anticipated to enter into force by 2032. RAMPS Logistics and Flying Ship's collaboration grew out of discussions at the Caribbean Investment Forum. Flying Ship Company reports it already holds $200 million in commercial customer commitments for its technology, indicating strong market interest in these alternative logistics solutions.
