Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has contracted Kosaba Shipbuilding for a crew transfer vessel newbuild, the first CTV order the Japanese line has placed at a domestic yard.
The vessel, delivering in late 2025 or 2026, will be the third CTV owned by NYK and the company’s second owned unit deployed to support the Japanese offshore wind sector. It will be based on a design by NYK’s partner and CTV operator, Northern Offshore Service.
Last year, NYK sealed a CTV time charter contract with wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa to transport workers to the offshore wind farm at Ishikari Bay New Port. The vessel was completed in Singapore and entered service the same year in July as the largest gross tonnage CTV in Japan, according to NYK.
The company said that by expanding its fleet of CTVs, it aims “to play an active role in promoting sustainable energy and contribute to revitalising the Japanese shipbuilding and marine industries”.
Demand for CTVs in Japan is expected to grow, with offshore wind buildout set to start in earnest around 2026. NYK said it plans to invest more than $280m in the sector by that time, including contracting more CTVS at shipyards in Japan.
