The Application of the Surface Effect Ship in U. S. Ocean Commerce in 1995.

摘要

This study evaluates the economic opportunities in 1995 of SESs (surface effect ships) in the carrying of commercial cargo in U.S. commerce, both foreign and domestic. The principal index of SES economic opportunity is the number of SESs that could be employed in U.S. commerce at freight rates that would cover costs of operations, plus a reasonable return on the owner's equity. Four routes of differing lengths and trade conditions are studied; inter-Hawaiian Islands, New York to Puerto Rico, New York to Northwestern Europe, and San Francisco to Japan. Total to U. S. foreign trade is projected as well as trade on the two domestic routes studied. Commodities potentially attractable to SES services are analyzed, and a modal split model is developed to estimate the SES market penetration potential under various conditions in competition with containerships and air cargo. An operational concept for SESs is developed and their freight rates and service characteristics are estimated. (Author)