On October 9, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding held a naming and launching ceremony for the second of two large car ferries ordered by Shin Nihonkai Ferry and the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT) at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki Shipyard's Eura Plant in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
<Scenes from the naming and launching ceremony>
The large car ferry, named "Hamanasu," is scheduled to operate on a route connecting Otaru City in Hokkaido and Maizuru City in Kyoto Prefecture. After outfitting work and sea trials, it is expected to be delivered in June 2026.
This is the 10th ferry delivered to Shin Nihonkai Ferry by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, and it features a state-of-the-art energy-saving hull design, including a buttock flow stern hull with a distinctive "ducktail" shape that protrudes near the stern like a duck's tail, and a vertical bow shape.
This is the second domestic ferry to feature a ducktail spoiler, following the first vessel. It utilizes an energy-saving anti-rolling system that combines an "anti-rolling tank" and "fin stabilizers" to reduce the ship's rolling motion, achieving a 5% energy saving compared to conventional vessels.
The first vessel, "Keyaki," which was ordered by Shin Nihonkai Ferry and JRTT, already had its naming and launching ceremony in April and is scheduled to be delivered in November.
■ Overview of "Hamanasu"
Vessel type: Passenger ship and car ferry
全長：約199.0m
幅：約25.5m
Gross tonnage: Approximately 14,300 tons
Cruising speed: Approximately 28.3 knots
Passenger capacity: 286 people
Loading capacity: Approximately 150 trucks, approximately 30 passenger cars
