The vessel has three independent prismatic cargo tanks which are allowed to load LPG (propane, butane), anhydrous ammonia, VCM, propylene, Butylene, Butadiene.
The vessel is directly propelled by one set of two-stroke cycle slow speed diesel engine.
1.3.2 Highly Advanced Training ships
(1) The training ship "HIROSHIMA MARU" was completed and delivered to Hiroshima Mercantile Marine College in January 1997 at Kure Shipyard in Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. This ship was planned to train sea men who will be onboard the vessel in 21st century; therefore she is equipped with highly advanced navigational equipment and research equipment.
The ships is propelled by the controllable pitch propeller, driven by one set of four-stroke cycle medium speed diesel engine.
(2) The training ship "SEIUN MARU" was completed and delivered to Institute for Sea Training, Ministry of Transport in March 1997 at Yokosuka Shipyard in Sumitomo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. This ship was designated to train and educate sea men who will be onboard the highly advanced and automated vessel. Especially several means were introduced to reduce the noise and vibration in order to serve the good training and educational atmosphere on board.
The ships is propelled by the controllable pitch propeller, driven by one set of two-stroke cycle slow speed diesel engine.
1.3.3 High speed ferry
(1) The high speed ferry, "UNICORN", was completed and delivered to Higashi Nippon Ferry Co., Ltd. In May 1997 at Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. The ship cruises at 35 knots in normal services and achieved 42.4 knots at maximum speed. She is put into shuttle service of about 155 km distance between Aomori and Hakodate within 2 hours with carrying 423 passengers and 106 cars. The main propulsion is four sets of water jet respectively driven by the one set of the high speed diesel engine each of 8,840 ps output.
(2) The high speed ferry was completed and delivered to Kumamoto Ferry Co. in March 1998 by Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. She is the first car ferry which is applied their original SSTH (Super Slender Twin Hull) concept. She reduces cruising time to 30 minutes from previous one hour between Kumamoto and Shimabara. She carries 430 passengers and 51 cars in service speed of 31 knots by two main diesel engines.
1.3.4 Deep Sea Research Ship
The research ship "KAIREI" was completed and delivered to Japan Marine Science Technology Center in March 1997 at Sakaide Shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. She engaged as the mother ship of "KAIKOU" which is underwater submergible unmanned cable vehicle (maximum depth over 10,000m). In order to efficiently assist the underwater work of "KAIKOU" she is equipped with a lot of electronic instruments for navigation, for positioning and for assisting underwater activities which information is connected each other through LAN system. Especially the noise emitted into underwater prominently reduced.
The ship is equipped with two sets of controllable pitched propeller, two main engines and two rudders by which she attained high maneuverability.
1.3.5 Global Marine Research Ship
The research ship "MIRAI" was completed and delivered to Japan Marine Science Technology Center in September 1997 at Tokyo Shipyard of Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and at Nagasaki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. She was converted to highly advanced maritime research vessel from the nuclear-powered ship "MUTSU".
The main propulsion is two electric motors driven by the four main diesel generators. Using these affluent power she can sail through rough ocean in high latitude or icy sea near arctic region.
1.3.6 Experiment of Reduction of Emission from Marine Diesel Engine
Shipbuilding Foundation Association announced that the experiment of the new facility for reducing the emission of exhaust gas from the marine diesel engine was satisfactorily completed. This research was conducted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. introducing this system on existing merchant vessel. The result confirms expected performance and durability of this new facility.
References
1) Maritime Technology and Safety Bureau, Ministry of Transport, Annual summary of the Issue of Ship Construction Permits 1996
[Masaki NAKAMURA]
