Every year, the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers selects a ship that is the most technologically, artistically, and socially superior among vessels built in Japan, and then bestows the Ship of the Year award on the selected ship. This year, a total of 10 ships entered the screening for the 24th Ship of the Year selection.
Presentation and screening sessions for the Ship of the Year 2013 were held at Meiji Kinenkan on Thursday, June 5, and the bulk carrier M. S. RAGA outperformed all entrants.
SHOYOH, THE 51ST KAIYO-MARU, and SHINSEI-MARU were likewise awarded under the large cargo vessel, fishing/work vessel, and special ship categories, respectively. Regrettably, there were no awardees in the small passenger ship category.
The awarding ceremony is scheduled to be held with the Japan Institute of Marine Engineering’s ceremony for bestowing the Marine Engineering of the Year award, as the joint awarding ceremony of two maritime societies, at Kaiun Club on July 30.
Background for selecting the Ship of the Year 2013
There were 10 candidates for the Ship of the Year 2013 award: one in the small passenger ship category, three in the large cargo vessel category, three in the fishing/work vessel category, and three in the special ship category. At the end of April, the preliminary review committee held a session for initial screening, eliminating one vessel and recommending the remaining nine vessels to the selection committee. The final screening session was held on June 5.
At Meiji Kinenkan in Minato-ku, Tokyo, an eager presentation about each ship was delivered to the general members of the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers, and then the selection committee met in another room. Out of the 14 selection committee members, 10 members participated, 2 absent members had cast prior votes, and 1 vote was provided by the general members after listening to the presentations. As such, a total of 13 votes were used for screening.
The comments and evaluation results on the items (originality, novelty, technical/product completeness, spillover effects on society, newsworthiness, and impact) examined by the preliminary review committee were used as reference materials. Similar to last year, the most excellent vessel was first selected as the Ship of the Year, and then the category awards were given to other excellent ships.
None of the ships won a majority of votes at the first voting, and consequently, a final voting was conducted to select the most excellent vessel from the top two ships: the large cargo vessels M.S. RAGA and SHOYOH. By a one-vote margin, the crown of the Ship of the Year 2013 was awarded to M.S. RAGA, which is mounted with the upper structure “Aero Citadel” that is designed to reduce wind resistance and avoid piracy, thereby ensuring the safety of crew members and environmental friendliness.
The category awardees were then chosen. The awardees included SHOYOH, which embodies the function of considerable energy savings by adopting contra-rotating propellers and stern appendages, among others, in the large cargo vessel category. THE 51ST KAIYO-MARU, which has improved efficiency in fishing and processing as well as the working environment owing to its cutting-edge equipment, was awarded under the fishing/work vessel category. Lastly, SHINSEI-MARU, which enables efficient, comprehensive observation with a variety of observation devices and research apparatuses, won the special ship category award. Regrettably, there were no awardees in the small passenger ship category.
Takuo Hirano
Chief, Selection Committee
Introduction of Awardees
The upper structure “Aero Citadel” was developed with reduced wind resistance and anti-piracy functions. M.S. RAGA is the first bulk carrier mounted with this structure, which was highly evaluated because its design is intended for securing the safety of crew members while keeping energy-saving, environment-friendly, and comfortable living features. These functions are expected to be used for other ships as well. This vessel is also equipped with an electronically controlled engine, LEDs for all lamps, electric deck machinery to reduce the risk of oil leakage, and an electric hatch cover, among others, while considering the environment and energy efficiency.
Vessel name : M.S. RAGA
Vessel type : Bulk carrier
Owner : Luster Maritime S.A.
Builder : Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Delivery : June 28, 2013
LPP × B × D–d : 227.0 m × 38 m × 19.9 m–14.45 m
GT : 50,615 tons ( 95,000 DWT )
Speed : 16.5 knots
Main engine : 6S60ME-C8 12,950 kW
SHOYOH signifies a milestone in shipbuilding. Contra-rotating propellers were attached to a bulk carrier for the first time in the world, and a newly developed stern appendage was installed, improving mileage by about 16%. The exhaust gas turbine generator, which uses exhaust gas from the main engine, reduces the necessary amount of fuel for power generation and environmental burdens during voyage. The ballast water tank exclusively for wild weathers alleviates environmental burdens and workloads, improving operability and structural reliability.
Vessel name : SHOYOH
Vessel type : Coal carrier
Owner : TDC Shipping S.A.
Builder : Japan Marine United Corporation
Delivery : July 25, 2013
LPP × B × D–d : 234.5 m × 43.0 m × 20.5 m–13 m
GT : 60,876 tons ( 97,000 DWT )
Speed : 14.2 knots
Main engine : DU Wartsila 6RT-flex58T-D 9,680 kW
THE 51ST KAIYO-MARU is a deep-sea trawler built for the first time in a quarter of a century in Japan. Emulating advanced North European fishing vessels, this ship boasts of increased efficiency as it is installed with the latest fishing equipment. Further, the hygiene control of the processing space is sophisticated and mechanized, safety is enhanced, and the crew’s living environment is improved, all to upgrade profitability and the working environment. This fishing ship suggests how Japanese fishery should evolve.
Vessel name : THE 51ST KAIYO-MARU
Vessel type : Deep-sea trawler
Owner : Hachinohe Fisheries Cooperative Association
Builder : Miho Zosensho Co., Ltd.
Delivery : July 22, 2013
LPP × B × D–d : 55.9 m × 12.5 m × 8.2 m–5.38 m
GT : 605 tons
Speed : 15.05 knots
Main engine : Niigata 8MG34HX-1N 2,999 kW
Fish tank capacity : 778 m3
SHINSEI-MARU is a state-of-the-art research ship mounted with a wide array of observation devices and research apparatuses for the efficient, effective, and comprehensive observation of the marine environment, seafloor topography, and ocean weather, among others. This ship is expected to contribute to the growth of the Tohoku region by scientifically clarifying the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami on the marine ecosystem around the coastal area and then proposing recovery processes. It will serve as a symbol of the restoration of the Tohoku region.
Vessel name : SHINSEI-MARU
Vessel type : Ocean research vessel
Owner : Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Builder : Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Delivery : June 30, 2013
LPP × B × D–d : 59.9 m × 13.0 m × 6.2 m–4.5 m
GT : 1,629 tons
Speed : 13.2 knots
Main engine : Electric propulsion system 1,300 kW × 2
Number of passengers : about 15, including researchers
