Parallel with the increased speed demands on certain routes, most fast ferry operators are still reluctant to join this trend of development because of the associated sky-rocking fuel consumption. It is very likely that the catamaran technology, initially commercially developed during the early seventies, today have reached its optimum stage of development from a hydrodynamic point of view. Further reduction of drag is severely limited by the fact that the major drag component is related to hydrodynamic skin friction. To overcome this, either wetted surface area has to be reduced, or the skin friction has to be reduced by application of new technology, like air lubrication. Recognizing the lack of proven means to solve these technological challenges, it indicates that the catamaran concept, as we know it today, is no longer particularly suited to fully comply with the future marked needs in all respects. This view is supported by the increased attention concerning environmental issues paid by the public and authorities, which is likely to force through the development of novel concepts that performs better in this respect. Also the environment effects of the wave-making tendency of high speed crafts has become a growing regional concern. more