First Post-Panamax Car Carrier for Japan

Global transportation company NYK Group has taken delivery today of a new pure car carrier, Aries Leader, which was built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd. at its Onishi Shipyard in Ehime prefecture. This vessel is the very first post-Panamax car carrier in Japan.

First Post-Panamax Car Carrier for Japan
Aries Leader

In addition to a capacity increasing to 7,000 units, the new carrier includes the latest energy-saving technology such as an air-lubrication system and a hybrid turbocharger — both of which have been installed on a car carrier for the first time — in addition to an electronically controlled engine and the use of water-emulsified fuel in the boiler.

As a result,  a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit is expected compared with existing large pure car carriers.

“The hulls of our pure car carriers have traditionally been painted aurora blue, but this ship has been painted green to signify its status clearly as an environmental flagship,”  NYK Group said.

“The NYK Group will continue to promote creative solutions based on the company’s medium-term management plan “More Than Shipping 2018,” and will strive for greater global environmental protection by making efforts for further development of and new advances in innovative environmental technology for stable car transport.”

NYK decided to build four next-generation type PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) in 2012.

Construction of two vessels was assigned to Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. at its factory in Marugame city in Kagawa prefecture with technical assistance being provided by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The other two vessels are being built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd. at its Onishi Shipyard in Ehime prefecture. All four vessels are scheduled to be completed from 2014 to 2015.

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Press Release, May 27, 2014