Mr Giles's solution to the drag problem is a sharp bow that cuts through waves up to 40 feet high, and a concave hull bottom.

ECONOMIST: Fast container ships

Formed in 1993 by Mr Giles's firm, Thornycroft Giles, to commercialise a design that had failed to catch on with the British Royal Navy, it had hoped to get ships in service by last year.

ECONOMIST: Fast container ships

"We thought about having T-shirts made: Not in New York, " Mr. Giles says.

WSJ: Giving the City a Shot

Before setting up his own privately run company, Mr. Giles served as head of special events at English Heritage, a cultural body sponsored by the British government, from 1984 to 2000.

WSJ: How the Modern World is Re-Enacting the Battles of Old

The Lib Dems also oppose the development at the site, with its leader Stephen Giles-Medhurst said Mr Pickles has "not listened to local wishes, even though he understands it will cause harm to the area".

BBC: St Albans rail freight depot plan 'concerns voters'

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst said he was "disappointed" Mr Lloyd was not standing down as county councillor.

BBC: David Lloyd, Conservative candidate