Objective The growing congestion on European highways increasingly demands for shifting cargo transport from road to other modes of transport like railways and particularly waterways. This means that ships have to become more competitive with respect to the other modes of transport. For container transport, improved concepts for vessels and efficient cargo handling and transhipment systems are needed. The main research goal is, therefore, to design and develop a high-speed container feeder for more competitive and reliable short sea shipping with the following main specifications: 350 TEU capacity, 130 m length, 16-18 m width, 6-7 m draught and better hydro-dynamics allowing it to go 50 %- faster (= 21 to 25 knots) than current feeders under the same operational conditions. Low operating costs (70-80% of conventional design). A 20-30-weight reduction by the use of high tensile steel aluminium and composite materials. Improved fuel efficiency (15%) by the use of combined contra-rotating propeller-rudder system. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuels Programme(s) FP5-GROWTH - Programme for research technological development and demonstration on "Competitive and sustainable growth 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.3.-3. - Key Action Land Transport and Marine Technologies Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme EAW - Exploratory awards Coordinator HOLLAND MAAS SHIPPING B.V. EU contribution No data Address Albert Plesmanweg 3088 GB ROTTERDAM Netherlands See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all TMP - TRANSPORTES MARITIMOS DE PORTUGAL, S.A. Portugal EU contribution No data Address Avenida 24 de Julho NR. 126 - 2° ESQ. 1350-346 LISBOA See on map Total cost No data