The research and development program of a super high-speed vessel named "TechnoSuperliner" is currently being undertaken in Japan. The task of the program is to build an advanced ocean going cargo vessel with a performance of 50 kn(93 km/h) speed. 1000 ton payload. over 500 nautical mile range and superior seaworthiness as well. Out of various hybrid supporting hull concepts, have been derived two innovative ones; TSL-F and TSL-A. The R&D program has been successfully achieved according to the expected plan. The paper outlines some technological advancement that has been achieved till now.
Conventional merchant vessels represented by tankers, bulk carriers and container ships still play a significant role in mass transportation comparatively at a low speed. Meanwhile, ongoing changes in economic social structures such as small-lot but high value production with a wide variety and dispersion of production facilities require much faster marine transport for domestic and overseas use. Civil aviation, the general choice for fast transportation is rapidly expanding centered on the transport of manufactured goods and fresh foodstuffs. Trucking is also progressing rapidly in land taking advantage of door-to-door service and a reasonable rate. These modes of transport, however, considerably vary in speed, rate and capacity. The social economy demands an intermediate means of transport to fill the gaps among them. In addition, limitations on airport and express highways, and social problems such as shortage of truck drivers and air pollution caused by exhaust gas are afraid to result in the restriction on civil aviation and trucking sooner or later. The ministry of Transport of Japan has advocated "modal shift" these years in which much more utilization of seaborne transportation is recommended to avoid the social problems as mentioned in the above. In the event TechnoSuperliner makes its debut in seaborne transportation.
