Calling all Japanese Post-War Merchant Marine Fans......

[Caravellarella]

Some more Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorships from the immediate post-war period; the Kamikawa Maru class intended to replace the three sisterships of the same names that were commandeered as seaplane carriers and lost during the Pacific War. They resumed Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha's post-war service to North American ports......

M.V. Kamikawa Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. KAMIKAWA MARU; name-ship of a class of three sisterships; Kamikawa Maru, Kimikawa Maru and Kunikawa Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 911.
IMO 5180752
Laid down 28th December 1950.
Launched 4th August 1951.
Service (K-Line) 31st October 1951 to 26th July 1972.

Length 157 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,632Grt.

M.V. Kimikawa Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. KIMIKAWA MARU; one of a class of three sisterships; Kamikawa Maru, Kimikawa Maru and Kunikawa Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard No. 915.
IMO 5187229
Laid down 20th May 1951.
Launched 30th November 1951.
Service (K-Line) 29th February 1952 to 7th December 1972.

Length 156.9 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,626Grt.

M.V. Kunikawa Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. KUNIKAWA MARU; last in a class of three sisterships; Kamikawa Maru, Kimikawa Maru and Kunikawa Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 916.
IMO 5197731
Laid down 26th December 1952.
Launched 27th May 1952.
Service (K-Line) 25th August 1952 to 17th January 1973.

Length 156.9 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,566Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some more Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorships; part of a series of a dozen ships built for services to Latin America......

M.V. Sachikawa Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. Sachikawa Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. SACHIKAWA MARU; a one-off motorship built for post-war resumption of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Latin American route.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 932.
IMO 5304578
Laid down 29th September 1953.
Launched 6th March 1954.
Service (K-Line) 29th May 1954 to 30th May 1973.

Length 142.1 metres, breadth 18.2 metres. 8,342Grt.

M.V. Hikawa Maru (xii), � A. Duncan.

M.V. HIKAWA MARU; a one-off motorship built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Latin American route.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 940.
IMO 5150379
Laid down 18th November 1954.
Launched 25th April 1955.
Service (K-Line) 20th July 1955 to 11th November 1976.

Length 142.1 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 8,092Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorship; part of a series of a dozen ships built for services to Latin America......

M.V. Akikawa Maru......

M.V. Akikawa Maru (ii), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. Akikawa Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. Akikawa Maru (iii), � unknown.

M.V. AKIKAWA MARU; built for post-war resumption of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Latin American route, sistership Mizukawa Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 927.
IMO 5007120
Laid down 4th October 1952.
Launched 16th February 1953.
Service (K-Line) 15th May 1953 to 22nd June 1973.

Length 142.1 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 8,347Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorship, although the name Hozan Maru does not follow the normal formula for the naming of such ships (she may have been built/launched as Kunimi Maru)......

M.V. Hozan Maru......

M.V. Hozan Maru (i), � unknown......

M.V. Hozan Maru (ii), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. Hozan Maru (iii), � A. Duncan.

M.V. HOZAN MARU; a one-off motorship built for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 966.
IMO 5156098
Laid down - unknown.
Launched 10th August 1957.
Service (K-Line) 1957 to 1977.

Length - unknown, breadth - unknown. 8,271Grt.


If any one knows anything more about this ship, please do let me know......

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Freighter]

Terry,
Following this topic with interest although my modelling is limited to Japanese ships immediately pre-war. I'm interested in the snippets about liveries, funnel markings etc. Is there a good source for these anywhere? Most websites can give details of Japanese company House Flags but not of hull/superstructure colours, funnel colours & markings, deck fittings etc.

Any help appreciated

Jim S

[Caravellarella]

Dear Jim S, I'm sorry but I don't know of an available reference for pre-war Japanese shipping company liveries. All my references are from the 1950s and 1960s. As far as I know very few of the major shipping lines survived the war except for the obvious ones that had been nationalised or had been parts of major conglomerates. Apart from Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osaka Shosen Kaisha and Toyo Kisen/Kaiun Kaisha, I don't believe many companies made the transition to post-war operations operating under their original names or with their original liveries; sorry.

Meanwhile, here is the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorship; M.V. Peru Maru......

M.V. Peru Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. Peru Maru (ii), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. Peru Maru (iii), � unknown.

M.V. PERU MARU; one of a class of three sisterships built for further expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Latin American route, Chile Maru, Peru Maru and Cuba Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 959.
IMO 5275399
Laid down 5th February 1957.
Launched 13th June 1957.
Service (K-Line) 20th September 1957 to 17th December 1974.

Length 143.1 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 8,347Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorships......

M.V. Malacca Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. Malacca Maru (ii), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. MALACCA MARU; a one-off motorship built for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

Builder � Ishikawajima Dockyard, Tokyo. Yard N�. 785.
IMO 5218107
Laid down � unknown.
Launched 30th November 1959.
Service (K-Line) 1960 to 1971.

Length 130.6 metres, breadth 17.3 metres. 6,062Grt.

M.V. Hikawa Maru (xiii), � unknown.

M.V. HIKAWA MARU; a one-off motorship built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Latin American route.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 940.
IMO 5150379
Laid down 18th November 1954.
Launched 25th April 1955.
Service (K-Line) 20th July 1955 to 11th November 1976.

Length 142.1 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 8,092Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some larger, later and faster motorships built for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha's American routes......

M.V. Oregon Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. OREGON MARU; one of a class of four larger, faster motorships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s transpacific West-coast US ports route, Nevada Maru, Montana Maru, Oregon Maru and Colorado Maru. She was jumboised into a cellular containership in August 1971.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 938.
IMO 5264546
Laid down 30th December 1958.
Launched 10th February 1959.
Service (K-Line) 25th April 1959 to 20th October 1972.

Length 162.2 metres, breadth 20.4 metres. 10,104Grt (completed).
Length 168.84 metres, breadth 21.9 metres. 15,023Grt (jumboised).

M.V. Tennessee Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. TENNESSEE MARU; one of a class of three motorships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s southern US ports route, Florida Maru, Tennessee Maru and Louisiana Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,059.
IMO 6508834
Laid down � unknown.
Launched � unknown.
Service (K-Line) 1965 to 1978.

Length 156.7 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,056Grt.

M.V. Florida Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. FLORIDA MARU; name-ship of a class of three motorships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s southern US ports route, Florida Maru, Tennessee Maru and Louisiana Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,011.
IMO 5116701
Laid down � unknown.
Launched 30th June 1961.
Service (K-Line) 1961 to 1973.

Length 156.3 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,003Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is a super-rare photograph of M.V. Oregon Maru after she had been "jumboised" into a containership. Apart from the fact that she has been lengthened, the differences from her original configuration are striking. There is a new raised bridge with typically Japanese curved bridge wings. Her weather deck has been widened to accomodate tracks for her on-board loading gantries. Of course, such conversions could not compete with purpose built cellular or Ro-Ro containerships and I'm sure this specific conversion was purely an interim measure pending the availability of new ships......

M.V. Oregon Maru (vii), � unknown.

M.V. OREGON MARU; one of a class of four larger, faster motorships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s transpacific West-coast US ports route, Nevada Maru, Montana Maru, Oregon Maru and Colorado Maru. She was jumboised into a cellular containership in August 1971.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 938.
IMO 5264546
Laid down 30th December 1958.
Launched 10th February 1959.
Service (K-Line) 25th April 1959 to 20th October 1972.

Length 162.2 metres, breadth 20.4 metres. 10,104Grt (completed).
Length 168.84 metres, breadth 21.9 metres. 15,023Grt (jumboised).

Here is a link to the "Nifty" page for this generation of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorships......
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/com ... _list2.htm

Had enough of this shipping line? Want to see a different one?


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Cadman]

Had enough of this shipping line? Want to see a different one?

What an impressive collection of images. Personally I like the more modern looking ones like the jumbo Oregon Maru. But I am enjoying all of them. Please continue to post any shipping lines. It's nice to see something other than warships for a change.

[Caravellarella]

Thank you Timothy. I wasn't sure this was the right place to post such images, but I wanted to counter the preference for pre-war & wartime Japanese Merchant Ships. I wonder if I've given anyone any modelmaking inspiration yet......

All best, Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some Sanko Kisen Kaisha ships. This company seems to have become part of the Mitsui-OSK combine in April 1964. The Sanko Kisen livery has a black & white funnel with a red disc emblem with two concentric white rings......

S.S. Seiko Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

S.S. SEIKO MARU; a one-off steamship built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha, she was re-engined to become a motorship in December 1959 and became Mitsui-OSK�s TAHITI MARU in April 1964.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard No. 449.
IMO 5318127
Laid down � 5th March 1949.
Launched � 10th October 1949.
Service 27th December 1949 to 1973.

Length 130 metres, breadth 17.6 metres. 6,647Grt.

M.V. Kikuko Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. KIKUKO MARU; a motorship built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha, sistership Kako Maru.

Builder � Sanoyasu Dockyard, Osaka. Yard N�. 150.
IMO 5186938
Laid down � March 1958.
Launched - 16th September 1958.
Service November 1958 to 1968.

Length 149.3 metres, breadth 18.8 metres. 8,683Grt.

M.V. Teiko Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. TEIKO MARU; a motorship built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha; sistership Toko Maru.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard N�. 521.
IMO 5354468
Laid down � 17th March 1958.
Launched - 12th September 1958.
Service 6th November 1958 to 1971.

Length 136.6 metres, breadth 18.1 metres. 7,216Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is Sanko Kisen Kaisha's S.S. Ginko Maru, seen firstly in Osaka Shosen Kaisha livery (still as Ginko Maru) and in Mitsui-OSK livery as Burma Maru (I don't have any pictures of her in Sanko Kisen Kaisha livery)......

S.S. Ginko Maru (iii), � A. Duncan; in Osaka Shosen Kaisha livery.

S.S. Burma Maru (iv), � A. Duncan; in Mitsui-OSK livery.

S.S. Burma Maru (v), � unknown; in Mitsui-OSK livery.

S.S. GINKO MARU; a one-off steamship built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha, sold to Osaka Shosen Kaisha on 2nd April 1956 and later renamed BURMA MARU by Mitsui-OSK in April 1964. Sanko Kisen Kaisha replaced her with a motorship of the same name in 1956.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Osaka. Yard N�. 3,687.
IMO 5055622
Laid down � 31st January 1951.
Launched � 2nd July 1951.
Service 29th September 1951 to 1971.

Length 120.7 metres, breadth 16.7 metres. 4,993Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is a pair of Sanko Kisen Kaisha motorships seen in Mitsui-OSK livery......

M.V. Port Louis Maru (v), � unknown; in Mitsui-OSK livery.

S.S. WAKO MARU; a one-off steamship built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha, she was re-engined with a 5,500bhp Harima-Sulzer diesel to become a motorship in October 1959 and became Mitsui-OSK�s PORT LOUIS MARU in April 1964.

Builder � Ishikawajima Dockyard, Tokyo. Yard N�. 717.
IMO 5385247
Laid down � 28th February 1952.
Launched - 5th August 1952.
Service 15th November 1952 to 20th July 1972.

Length 145.2 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 7,129Grt.

M.V. Cape Town Maru (iv), A. Duncan; in Mitsui-OSK livery.

M.V. CAPE TOWN MARU; built for Sanko Kisen Kaisha as GINKO MARU (a replacement for their steamship of the same name), sold to Osaka Shosen Kaisha on 17th March 1961, renamed CAPE TOWN MARU and passed to the merged Mitsui-OSK line.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 3,795.
IMO 5061968
Laid down � May 1956.
Launched - 18th November 1956.
Service 30th January 1957 to 29th September 1973.

Length 112.5 (pp) metres, breadth 16.7 metres. 4.923Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is the Nippon Yusen Kaisha steamship S.S. Manila Maru. She had been built for another shipping line and was a bit of an oddity in NYK's fleet of modern post-war motorships......

S.S. Manila Maru (ii), � A. Duncan.

S.S. Manila Maru (i), � Fotoship.

S.S. Manila Maru (iii), � unknown.

S.S. MANILA MARU; a steamship built for Toho Kaiun Kaisha, but sold on completion to Nippon Yusen Kaisha on 10th July 1954.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima. Yard No. 117.
IMO 5219436
Laid down - 22nd October 1953.
Launched - 17th April 1954.
Service (NYK) 11th July 1954 to 1972.

Length 150.6 metres, breadth 19.3 metres. 9,297Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Dear Boys & Girls, let me introduce you to a most confusing Japanese shipping line; Daido Kaiun Kaisha (Daido Line).

Daido Kaiun Kaisha operated a large post-war fleet of motorships, most of which had very similar names. The livery has a black hull with white upperworks, white titles and a black funnel with a white (upper) and red (lower) stripe.

Daido Kaiun Kaisha merged with Nitto Shosen Kaisha (Nitto Line) in April 1964 to create Japan Line Ltd......

S.S. Komei Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

S.S. KOMEI MARU; sistership Kosho Maru. A steamship built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, she was converted to a motorship in August 1960. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 905.
IMO 5192028
Laid down - 1st March 1950.
Launched � 30th August 1950.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 8th November 1950 to 1966.

Length 120.6 metres, breadth 16 metres. 4,678Grt.

M.V. Kokoh Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. KOKOH MARU; one of a class of five motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kohcho Maru, Kochi Maru, Kokoh Maru, Kohka Maru and Koten Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964. The last three sisterships have a different superstructure which is one deck taller.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,427.
IMO 5191218
Laid down - 25th December 1951.
Launched - 9th July 1952.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 15th October 1952 to 1970.

Length 141.4 metres, breadth 18.5 metres. 7,289Grt.


Prepare for more confusion......

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

After Daido Kaiun Kaisha (Daido Line) merged with Nitto Shosen Kaisha (Nitto Line) in April 1964 to create Japan Line Ltd, the combined fleet adopted a modified livery which had a medium blue-green funnel with a black top. Cargo ships had black hulls and reefers had grey hulls. Here are some former Daido Kaiun Kaisha motorships in Japan Line livery......

M.V. Kochi Maru (iv), � J. K. Byass; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOCHI MARU; one of a class of five motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kohcho Maru, Kochi Maru, Kokoh Maru, Kohka Maru and Koten Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964. The last three sisterships have a different superstructure which is one deck taller.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,423.
IMO 5190733
Laid down - 21st May 1951.
Launched - 20th November 1951.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 14th January 1952 to 3rd March 1969.

Length 141.4 metres, breadth 18.5 metres. 7,162Grt.

M.V. Koten Maru (iv), � A. Duncan; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOTEN MARU; one of a class of five motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kohcho Maru, Kochi Maru, Kokoh Maru, Kohka Maru and Koten Maru; and transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line. The last three sisterships have a different superstructure which is one deck taller.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1.439.
IMO 5195006
Laid down - 29th September 1953.
Launched - 24th December 1953.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 28th March 1954 to 1970.

Length 141.4 metres, breadth 18.5 metres. 7,314Grt.

M.V. Kokoh Maru (iv), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOKOH MARU; one of a class of five motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kohcho Maru, Kochi Maru, Kokoh Maru, Kohka Maru and Koten Maru; and transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line. The last three sisterships have a different superstructure which is one deck taller.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,427.
IMO 5191218
Laid down - 25th December 1951.
Launched - 9th July 1952.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 15th October 1952 to 1970.

Length 141.4 metres, breadth 18.5 metres. 7,289Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

The next class of Daido Kaiun Kaisha motorships also passed to the merged Japan Line Ltd......

M.V. Kochu Maru (iv), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOCHU MARU; name-ship of a class of six motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kochu Maru, Kosoh Maru, Kosei Maru, Kohoh Maru, Kobu Maru and Kotei Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,445.
IMO 5191347
Laid down - 17th November 1954.
Launched - 10th March 1955.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 13th June 1955 to 7th September 1972.

Length 151.2 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,197Grt.

M.V. Kotei Maru, (iv), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. Kotei Maru (v), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOTEI MARU; last in a class of six motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kochu Maru, Kosoh Maru, Kosei Maru, Kohoh Maru, Kobu Maru and Kotei Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,499.
IMO 5194985
Laid down - 14th January 1958.
Launched - 19th April 1958.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 10th July 1958 to 20th August 1974.

Length 151.3 metres, breadth 19.4 metres. 9,096Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more of the same class of Daido Kaiun Kaisha motorships in Japan Line service......

M.V. Kosoh Maru (iv), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOSOH MARU; one of a class of six motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kochu Maru, Kosoh Maru, Kosei Maru, Kohoh Maru, Kobu Maru and Kotei Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,465.
IMO 5194818
Laid down - 13th October 1955.
Launched - 27th March 1956.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 7th June 1956 to 26th September 1972.

Length 151.2 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,205Grt.

M.V. Kohoh Maru (iv), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOHOH MARU; one of a class of six motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Kochu Maru, Kosoh Maru, Kosei Maru, Kohoh Maru, Kobu Maru and Kotei Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,497.
IMO 5191270
Laid down - 30th April 1957.
Launched - 13th July 1957.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 22nd October 1957 to 29th November 1972.

Length 151.2 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,208Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Daido Kaiun Kaisha motorship in Japan Line service......

M.V. Koiku Maru (i), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. Koiku Maru (ii), � A. Duncan; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

M.V. KOIKU MARU; a one�off motorship built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha and transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Uraga Dockyard, Uraga. Yard N�. 717.
IMO 5191347
Laid Down � 12th December 1957.
Launched - 2nd April 1958.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 27th May 1958 to 1971.

Length 144 metres, breadth 19 metres. 8,499Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)