GIANT high-speed cargo ships may soon ply the oceans, crossing the Atlantic
in just three and a half days. The FastShip, which is being developed by
Rolls-Royce, will be able to travel at a constant speed of 40 knots in any
weather and will produce a wake 6 metres high.
Julia King of Rolls-Royce’s marine division told the BA that she expects
FastShip to carry goods across the Atlantic for a twentieth of the cost of
airfreight. “FastShip is powered by gas turbines derived from aeroplane
engines,” says King. The turbines drive pumps that expel water from the stern of…
