Japan plans to develop ultra-high-speed ocean freighters...
Japan plans to develop ultra-high-speed ocean freighters in the 1990s capable of cruising at 50 knots (57.5 m.p.h.), according to a Transport Ministry official.
The official said the ministry would finance a 7-billion-yen ($52-million U.S.) project starting next year to build a prototype of the jet foil craft, which will travel suspended above the ocean surface on special foils.
Such a craft, traveling about three times the speed of a current freighter, would make the transpacific trip in about four days, he said.
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