The concept of ground effect, where a craft flying close to a surface experiences an improved lift-to-drag ratio, has been known since the early twentieth century. Finnish engineer Toivo Kaario pioneered this field in the 1930s. The Soviet Union advanced wing-in-ground (WIG) technology with ekranoplans like the Caspian Sea Monster and Lun-class. In the West, Alexander Lippisch’s reverse delta wing design allowed for stable ground effect flight. Modern developments, such as the REGENT Seaglider, have further advanced the field. Recent innovations, including electric propulsion, have enhanced WIG performance and efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Despite these advancements, regulatory and operational challenges remain. The Horizon Europe project AIRSHIP aims to develop and demonstrate an autonomous all-electric WIG craft for cargo transport in archipelagoes, inland seas, and inland waterways. The project seeks to address fundamental challenges of WIG crafts through optimized aerodynamics and advanced control systems, fulfilling market demands for efficient and versatile transport solutions. The project will produce three prototypes, each more advanced than the previous, culminating in a final technology demonstrator prototype capable of autonomous missions in real operational environments. This paper encapsulates the research findings and outcomes of the conceptual development phase.