Japanese Deep Ocean Exploration Ship Shown Off
Japan has unveiled a 6,283-ton exploration vessel that will search for rare metals and other natural resources in waters around the nation. The Hakurei, 118 meters long and 19 meters wide, was shown to the media at Harumi Wharf in Tokyo. The vessel features drilling equipment that can dig up 400 meters into the seabed at a depth of 2,000 meters. The ship will initially search for resources off Okinawa Prefecture and the Ogasawara Islands. The Hakurei is owned by the government-backed Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp.
Japanese TSL a Reality
Long discussed as the embodiment of next-generation marine technology, the Japanese "Techno-Superliner" (TSL) is now a reality. The 14,500 grt TSL will be built from aluminum and measure 460 x 98 ft. (140 x 29.8 m). To be built by Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding's Tamano works for delivery in 2005, the TSL will be propelled to a service speed of 38 knots via a pair of Rolls-Royce Kamewa VLW J235 waterjets, which will absorb 27 MW of power. The ship will carry 700 passengers and cargo along the 1,000 km route between Tokyo and Ogasawara Islands, with its speed helping to cut the journey time from 26 to 16 hours. "This contract is another example of our technological excellence providing our customers with a competitive edge," said Saul Lanyado, Rolls-Royce president - marine.