A hybrid-electric aircraft took center stage recently as it made its transatlantic journey from Sweden to the United States, handled by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Heart Aerospace, the Swedish aerospace company behind the electric aircraft prototype, entrusted the international shipment to global logistics provider GEODIS, with the ocean leg managed by Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s RoRo fleet.
The transport operation highlights the rising intersection between sustainable aviation and logistics. The prototype aircraft, developed by Heart Aerospace, represents a new class of commercial regional air mobility aimed at reducing carbon emissions in short-haul aviation. This shipment underscores a growing demand for logistics services that can accommodate non-traditional and high-value project cargo—especially in sectors pushing green innovation.
RoRo vessels, known for their flexibility in handling wheeled and oversized cargo, proved ideal for the unique shape and dimensions of the aircraft. The loading process, documented in a recent video released by Wallenius Wilhelmsen, shows how precision and planning play a critical role when transporting unconventional freight across continents. For Heart Aerospace, this delivery was a major step toward prototype validation and future certification efforts in the U.S.
Though the aircraft’s paint job included a playful red nose and smile, the mission behind its development is far from whimsical. According to those involved, it’s about driving structural change in aviation. And for carriers like Wallenius Wilhelmsen, it’s about adapting core services to enable that progress.
