NYK has signed a long-term time-charter agreement for an offshore wind crew transfer vessel with Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy, a joint venture formed by JERA Nex bp Japan, Electric Power Development, Tohoku Electric Power, and Itochu Corporation.
The vessel measures approximately 28 metres in length with a beam of around 9 metres and a gross tonnage of about 145 tons. The vessel will be built by Kosaba Shipbuilding in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, and will operate along the coasts of Oga, Katagami, and Akita. Its design is based on a model used by Northern Offshore Services, adapted for domestic construction. Management of the vessel will be handled by Japan Offshore Support, an Akita-based joint venture between NYK and Akita Eisen, which also oversees training and recruitment of local crew.