The Maritime Solution

The Challenge and the Goals

The challenge of the german slider project is nothing less than establishing a transport system that meets today's modern requirements for ecology and economy.

The aim is to use the transport system established in this way to ensure a sustainable and improved ecological and economic balance that is forward-looking on the one hand and, on the other hand, offers a realistic possibility of being able to offer completely emission-free vehicles within five years.

Nature as a Role Model

The ground effect – also known as the wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) – is a physical phenomenon that was discovered by pilots in the 1940s. It has been used by some bird species for thousands of years and is often called the »albatross effect«.

The Technical Implementation

The dynamic pressure between the surface of the water and the wings allows those creatures to rise into the air and fly with minimal effort and cover enormous distances while hovering close to the water's surface with little energy expenditure.

The Historical Background

The German researcher and engineer Günther W. Jörg (1927-2010) holds a special place in the history of ground-effect vehicle development. Jörg, who was already involved in the development of the vertical take-off aircraft, set completely new standards in the field of ground effect vehicles with his invention of the »Tandem Airfoil Flairboat« (TAF). Its special design leads to a self-stabilising effect. This effect is of enormous consequences to the way maritime transportation can be carried out.

Our Ecological Advantages

The concept of the german slider is based on nature in a sustainable, resource-saving sense.

By utilising the ground effect and the vehicle's highly energy-efficient mode of locomotion as it flairs over the surface of the water, CO2 emissions can be reduced to an absolute minimum.

CO₂ Emissions Boats | Ships

CO₂ Emissions Slider

The Slider also protects wildlife. Marine animals and plants are not drawn into the propulsion system, thus preventing injuries. The absence of underwater noise levels protects noise-sensitive sea creatures such as dolphins, whales, turtles and corals, which are of great importance for the ecological balance.

As the vehicle does not cause any wave impact in flair mode, the breeding areas of animals on sea and river banks are not threatened in any way.

Our Economical Advantages

The Jörg tandem principle has been successfully developed and tested for over 20 years. The german slider is the first vehicle of its kind as well as the only self-stabilising and therefore safest ground-effect vehicle in the world and has the approval class (A).

In terms of its economic efficiency, the German Slider offers an absolutely unique selling point. By effectively utilising the ground effect in combination with specially developed aerodynamics and the use of state-of-the-art materials, the slider can save 70-90% fuel compared to conventional watercrafts, even when using conventional drives. At the same time, the Slider increases the vehicle speed many times over. Depending on the length of the vehicle, speeds of over 400 km/h are realistic.

The use of electric motors or fuel cell drives is already being considered and is being tested.

Consumption Slider

Drive Safely

The steering with a rudder and the resulting manoeuvrability enable immediate changes of direction, making the Slider far superior to sluggish boats and ships.

Obstacles under water, shoals, rocks or the like pose no problem whatsoever during the journey. The shallow draught – 1% of the vehicle length – allows the Slider to approach all harbours without any problems which is an enormous advantage. Thanks to the reduced braking distance, the Slider is predestined for autonomous driving.

Relaxed Flairing

The relaxed ride comfort in modern interior design while gently floating over the waves represents a revolution in maritime travel and cannot be compared with that of conventional boats and ships.

Travelling with the Slider is characterised by virtually silent travel, whereby even the vehicle's own movement is barely noticeable, which practically rules out seasickness.

By maximising speed many times over, journey and travel times are significantly reduced, making maritime transport much more attractive and efficient overall.