Its about time something like this came along. A new shipping concept to help reduce trucks on our highways by taking a ‘greener’ environmental approach. To quote the ship builders STX Canada;

‘The latest technologies will be applied in the design and equipment selection to ensure the ship achieves the least impact on the environment and will put the vessel at the forefront of a new generation of coastal marine transportation’.

When you consider the number of trucks running up and down the US Eastern seaboard this will help reduce congestion on the roads. Instead of trucks having to transport containers thousands of miles North-South rigs can be more fully employed servicing smaller regional areas.

Another huge plus…..a revolution in trucking really is the ability for one rig to now return/ re-locate up to 3 containers. This means the other 2 rigs that would have had to be used to re-locate an empty container can now be better utilized carrying a full load. Again a greener eco-friendly solution.

To quote from the Roadships site re its containers/trailers …. ‘Colapsable Trailer. Under Patent 783478 Roadships is developing the nestable trailer program which allows for 3 road transport trailers or containers to be compressed and travel as one unit’.

Here is the full press release;

June 26, 2009

Roadships Holdings Inc. Announces the Engagement of STX Marine

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Roadships Holdings Inc., a USA company listed on Nasdaq (OTC Bulletin Board: RDSH), is today announcing the decision of its Board of Directors to engage STX Marine to update the design of its Roadships High Speed Monohull to be fuelled by Liquid Natural Gas.

An amendment to the Commercialisation Agreement contract between Roadships and STX was signed today giving effect to the change.

The announcement follows confirmation of STX Canada Marines parent company STX Europe earlier this month of its strong commitment to reduce the environmental impact of the marine ship industry.

STX Europe is an international shipbuilding group which has state-of-the-art concepts, technology, processes and products for customers around the world and comprises 15 shipyards in Finland, France, Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam.

According to RDSH Chairman and CEO Michael Nugent ‘the partnership between Roadships and STX Canada Marine will provide collaborative benefits for both corporations. STX offers ‘Ecorizon’ the strategic environmental plan, based on STX Europe’s latest innovations and continuous R&D. The five point plan focuses on water, waste, energy, emissions and sustainability. Roadships brings to the table its business model to move road transport trailers via blue water highways reducing road congestion, diesel fuel emissions and increasing productivity efficiencies in intermodal door to door transport corridors.’

According to STX Canada Marine President David McMillan ‘STX Canada Marine is pleased to be involved in the design development and implementation of the new High Speed Monohull Ro-Ro vessel to Roadships America. The decision to move towards a clean design aligns with the Ecorizon(R) Green Lifecycle Focus approach of our parent company STX Europe. The latest technologies will be applied in the design and equipment selection to ensure the ship achieves the least impact on the environment and will put the vessel at the forefront of a new generation of coastal marine transportation.’

‘The latest partnership responds to developments where most countries are now devoting resources to reduce road congestion and increase road transport efficiencies,’ said Mr. Nugent. He pointed to the US bill which has been recently introduced to reduce congestion on America’s roads by encouraging more freight to be carried by barges and ships.

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SOURCE Roadships Holdings Inc.; Roadships Acquisitions Australia Ltd.