Atlantic Ocean in three days

2001/12/13 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Garraioak

Today, merchant ships need about 7 days to cross the Atlantic side by side. Within two years, the trip may take place in 3 days if several business projects become a reality.

The most important factor that prevents merchant ships from taking a great speed is the “wave of captive”. The captive wave is a wave that moves with the boat and that is produced by the thrust of the boat, and when the boat overcomes the speed of the wave, generates great problems of friction. The larger the container, the greater the wave. This phenomenon makes modern merchant ships not exceed 42 km/h of speed.

British engineer Nigel Gee wants to use the Pentamaran design to overcome the captive wave and put at 70 km/h merchant ships. The pentama containers will be longer and narrower than conventional ones, generate fewer waves and will be able to cross them. In 2003 the keel will be exhibited.

The company FastShip Atllantic, from Philadelphia, follows the same goal, but the captive wave has come on the other hand. Instead of doing so in narrower containers, it has a very deep, V-shaped bow and a shallow, flattened stern. Thanks to this hydrodynamic design they manage to reduce considerably the friction of the captive waves. The objective is to build, again, a merchant ship at 70 km/h within two years.