Concealment of 'Hidden Ship Leak' to withdraw the Busan-Fukuoka-Japan rapid ship project

Japan's JR Kyushu Express has decided to withdraw from the operation of the Queen Beetle, a high-speed passenger ship operating between Busan and Fukuoka, Japan, Kyodo News reported.

The parent company, JR Kyushu, held a press conference today (23rd) and announced that it has decided to abandon the resumption of flights.

Kyodo News analyzed, "The reason for the withdrawal decision is that it was technically difficult to increase the strength of the alloy of the Queen Beetle, which caused the leak, and that competition with low-cost airlines (LCCs) has intensified."

The Queen Beetle has been grounded since August after a hull leak was revealed.

JR Kyushu Express confirmed the leak in February this year, but it continued to operate without reporting it to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport until May.

On May 30, a warning was issued that seawater would come in while operating on the Queen Beetle bound for Busan, with 340 passengers and crew on board, but no casualties were reported.

Earlier, it was revealed that the Queen Beetle also had a leak in February last year due to a crack in the bow during operation, but did not undergo the necessary temporary inspection.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport discovered a leak cover-up in an audit in August and issued its first order in September calling for the dismissal of safety managers and others.

In October, the Korea Maritime Security Administration seized and searched high-speed ships on charges of violating the Ship Safety Act.

JR Kyushu fired three people last month, including the former president of its subsidiary JR Kyushu Express, who led the leak cover-up.

The 2,600-ton Queen Beetle operated between Busan and Fukuoka (one-way 3 hours and 40 minutes) with a capacity of 502.