Innovative High-Speed Japanese Ferry Enters Service Tuesday,
February 29, 2000 A high-speed Japanese ferry left Japan last
Tuesday on its maiden voyage to Shanghai, which it is expected
to reach in half the time of a conventional vessel. The Techno
Super Liner, jointly developed by Japan's Transport Ministry and
shipbuilding industry, is expected to cover the 740 km (445
miles) to Shanghai in only 11 hours instead of the usual 22, a
transport ministry official said. The 2,785-gt ship, named
"Kibo" or "Hope" in Japanese, is 245 ft. (74 m) long. It can
attain a maximum speed of 52 mph by using air partially to float
above the water's surface with forward propulsion provided by a
powerful gas turbine. It will normally be used as a passenger
vessel but Japan also hopes to use it as a goods freighter and
to back up Japanese rescue efforts during emergencies, such as
earthquakes, the official added.