A leading article in the July 1975 issue of The Motor Ship looked at the trend for faster ships. Only some five years previously the industry had been sceptical about the idea of large container ships travelling at 30 knots, but by 1975 this had become taken for granted.

This time, it was passenger ships under the spotlight, where total engine outputs approaching 50,000 bhp were being specified, to enable vessels to reach speeds above 25 knots. The operators argued that this would enable more voyages, therefore more revenue, but our editorial predecessors were not sure they would adequately pay their way.