Innovative Bow Design for Japanese Container Ship

Japan’s Imoto Lines has taken delivery of a 540 TEU container ship that features a forward, hemispheric accommodation block designed to reduce wind resistance.

The Natori was built by Kyokuyo Shipyard and is Imoto’s largest vessel to date. The company services Japan’s domestic trade and provides feeder services under Japanese flag to international carriers. 

The new vessel will operate on a loop of around 30 Japanese ports including Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe.

The 136m vessel draws on Kyokuyo’s experience with similar bow designs for the car carriers City of Rotterdam and City of St Petersburg, built in 2011.

City of Rotterdam