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

[Caravellarella]

The final class of motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, seen here in Japan Line livery (note the stainless steel tanks for carriage of liquid cargo)......

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

M.V. BROOKLYN MARU; name-ship of a class of three motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Brooklyn Maru, Manhattan Maru and Richmond Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line. Brooklyn Maru broke the trans-Pacific speed record in 1960 with a crossing of 9 days 6� hours��

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,532.
IMO 5053791
Laid Down � 10th February 1960.
Launched - 15th April 1960.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 16th July 1960 to 8th January 1975.

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

M.V. RICHMOND MARU; last in a class of three motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Brooklyn Maru, Manhattan Maru and Richmond Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line. LR/IMO/Miramar � 5294618,

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,563.
IMO 5294618
Laid Down � 25th November 1961.
Launched - 20th February 1962.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 24th May 1962 to 14th January 1975.

Length 159.7 metres, breadth 20.6 metres. 9,547Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

The other member of Daido Kaiun Kaisha's Brooklyn Maru class in Japan Line livery......

M.V. Manhattan Maru.

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

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

M.V. MANHATTAN MARU; one of a class of three motorships built for Daido Kaiun Kaisha, Brooklyn Maru, Manhattan Maru and Richmond 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�. 1,561.
IMO 5219383
Laid Down � 11th February 1961.
Launched - 17th June 1961.
Service (Daido Kaiun then Japan Line) 24th August 1961 to 18th December 1974.

Length 159.7 metres, breadth 20.6 metres. 9,556Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

When sailing on routes to Western Europe, Daido Kaiun Kaisha and then Japan Line ships operated under the Toho Line banner, though this was not associated with the other shipping line Toho Kaiun Kaisha. Here are some Daido Kaiun Kaisha/Japan Line motorships wearing Toho Line titles......

M.V. Koten Maru (v), � R. J. Weeks; in Japan Line Ltd livery with Toho Line titles.

M.V. KOTEN MARU; last in 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 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. Kosoh Maru (i), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery with Toho Line titles.

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.


Want to see a different shipping line now? I do......

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Iino Kaiun Kaisha's liner operations were transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha in April 1964 under the great rationalisation programme affecting all Japanese shipping lines at that time. Here are some Iino Kaiun Kaisha (Iino Lines) motorships in both companies' liveries. Iino Kaiun Kaisha ships had olive green hulls with white titles, white upperworks and a black funnel with a red band outlined in white and with a white emblem......

M.V. Sakishima Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. Sakishima Maru (iv), � unknown; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. SAKISHIMA MARU; one of a class of three motorships built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha, sisterships Mishima Maru and Okishima Maru. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Iino Dockyard, Maizuru. Yard N�. 41.
IMO 5307233
Laid down � unknown.
Launched -13th March 1958.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) 1958 to 1974.

Length 139.6 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 7,679Grt.

M.V. Mishima Maru (iv), � unknown; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. MISHIMA MARU; one of a class of three motorships built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha, sisterships Sakishima Maru and Okishima Maru. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Iino Dockyard, Maizuru. Yard N�. 40.
IMO 5236965
Laid down � unknown.
Launched - 27th November 1957.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) 1958 to 1972.

Length 139.6 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 7,684Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another pair of Iino Kaiun Kaisha ships in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery......

S.S. Tsuneshima Maru (i), � A. Duncan; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

S.S. Tsuneshima Maru (ii), � unknown; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

S.S. TSUNESHIMA MARU; one of a class of two steamships built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha, sistership Yasushima Maru. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Hitachi Zosen K.K, Innoshima. Yard N�. 3,722.
IMO 5369891
Laid down � 30th March 1953.
Launched - 28th July 1953.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) 20th November 1953 to 28th June 1970.

Length 157.2 metres, breadth 19.4 metres. 9,357Grt.

M.V. Muneshima Maru (iv), � unknown; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. MUNESHIMA MARU; one of a class of motorships built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha. Her sisterships may have included Ooshima Maru, Hisashima Maru and Mikishima Maru. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Iino Dockyard, Maizuru. Yard N�. 42.
IMO 5243683
Laid down � unknown.
Launched - 16th August 1958.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) November 1958 to 1977.

Length 156 metres, breadth 19.5 metres. 9,241Grt.


Here are links to the "nifty" pages on Iino Kaiun Kaisha......
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships//co ... _list1.htm
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships//co ... _list2.htm

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is a "problem" Iino Kaiun Kaisha motorship; M.V. Okishima Maru. She doesn't really exist in any of the usual sources......

She is in the Miramar international shipping database -
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/120105

She doesn't appear on the "nifty" page for this generation of Iino Kaiun Kaisha vessels -
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships//co ... _list2.htm
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/com ... okaiun.htm

but here she is in this photograph......

M.V. Okishima Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. OKISHIMA MARU; one of a class of three motorships built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha, sisterships Mishima Maru and Sakishima Maru. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Iino Dockyard, Maizuru. Yard N�. 39.
IMO 5261609
Laid down � unknown.
Launched - 12th August 1957.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) to 1971.

Length 139.6 metres, breadth 18.3 metres. 7,683Grt.


Another Iino Kaiun Kaiska motorship in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery......

M.V. Masashima Maru (iv), � unknown; in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. MASASHIMA MARU; a one-off motorship built for Iino Kaiun Kaisha. She transferred to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha operation in 1964.

Builder � Hitachi Zosen K.K, Innoshima. Yard N�. 3,696.
IMO 5228035
Laid down � 25th May 1951.
Launched - 26th January 1952.
Service (Iino Lines then K-Line) 17th April 1952 to 23rd February 1971.

Length 151.2 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,731Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Nippon Yusen Kaisha lost most of its deep-sea fleet of fast motorship cargoliners during the Pacific War. A massive post-war replacement programme began with the sisterships Heian Maru and Heiyo Maru. They also set the pattern for the next two classes of motorships......

M.V. Heian Maru (i), � World Ship Society.

M.V. HEIAN MARU; name-ship of a class of two motorships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Heian Maru and Heiyo Maru. The Heian Maru was Nippon Yusen Kaisha�s first post-war motorship.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,415.
IMO 5145403
Laid down - 29th December 1949.
Launched - 28th August 1950.
Service (NYK) 17th January 1951 to 5th June 1970.

Length 141 metres, breadth 18.1 metres. 6,848Grt.

M.V. Heiyo Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. Heiyo Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. HEIYO MARU; second in a class of two motorships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Heian Maru and Heiyo Maru.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,416.
IMO 5146134
Laid down 15th March 1950.
Launched 25th January 1951.
Service (NYK) 9th April 1951 to 14th August 1972.

Length 141 metres, breadth 18.1 metres. 6,851Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

For their post-war replacement programme Nippon Yusen Kaisha ordered 11 "A" class motorships which were larger developments of the Heian Maru class motorships. 5 were ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Yokohama yard as the Akagi Maru class and 6 were ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Nagasaki yard as the Aso Maru class.

Here is the name-ship of the Yokohama version; the Akagi Maru class......

M.V. Akagi Maru (ii), � F. W. Hawks.

M.V. Akagi Maru (iii), � unknown.

M.V. Akagi Maru (iv), � A. Duncan.

M.V. AKAGI MARU; name-ship of a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Higashi Nippon Dockyard (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Yokohama. Yard N�. 748.
IMO 5006578
Laid down - 27th December 1950.
Launched - 31st July 1951.
Service (NYK) 20th October 1951 to 1977.

Length 150.5 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,610Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more Akagi Maru class motorships......

M.V. Akita Maru (i), � unknown. Note non-standard design on the white strake.

M.V. AKITA MARU; one of a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 786.
IMO 5007144
Laid down - 12th December 1951.
Launched - 18th July 1952.
Service (NYK) 10th September to 13th November 1972.

Length 150.5 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,599Grt.

M.V. Asama Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. Asama Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. ASAMA MARU; last in a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 793.
IMO 5026499
Laid down -29th September 1953.
Launched - 26th December 1953.
Service (NYK) 1st April 1954 to 25th September 1974.

Length 150 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,740Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Akagi Maru class motorship......

M.V. Aizu Maru......

M.V. Aizu Maru (v), � unknown.

M.V. Aizu Maru (i), � F. W. Hawks.

M.V. Aizu Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. AIZU MARU; one of a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 792.
IMO 5006425
Laid down - 30th March 1953.
Launched - 24th July 1953.
Service (NYK) 29th September 1953 to 23rd March 1973.

Length 150.5 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,724Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Akagi Maru class motorship......

M.V. Atami Maru......

M.V. Atami Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. Atami Maru (ii), � Wolfgang Fuchs.

M.V. ATAMI MARU; one of a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Higashi Nippon Dockyard (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Yokohama. Yard N�. 782.
IMO 5028174
Laid down - 30th May 1951.
Launched - 25th December 1951.
Service (NYK) 18th March 1952 to 28th October 1972.

Length 150 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,611Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more photographs of M.V. Aizu Maru......

M.V. Aizu Maru (iv), � Schiffsfotos Jansen.

M.V. Aizu Maru (iii), � Wolfgang Fuchs.

M.V. AIZU MARU; one of a class of five sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha - Akagi Maru, Atami Maru, Akita Maru, Aizu Maru and Asama Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 792.
IMO 5006425
Laid down - 30th March 1953.
Launched - 24th July 1953.
Service (NYK) 29th September 1953 to 23rd March 1973.

Length 150.5 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,724Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

To continue the theme on Nippon Yusen Kaisha's 11 "A" class motorships; 5 were ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Yokohama yard as the Akagi Maru class and 6 were ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Nagasaki yard as the Aso Maru class.

Here are some of the Nagasaki version; the Aso Maru class......

M.V. Aso Maru (i), � Tom Rayner.

M.V. ASO MARU; name-ship of a class of six sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha � Aso Maru, Arima Maru, Awata Maru, Arita Maru, Aki Maru and Atsuta Maru.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,421.
IMO 5027053
Laid down - 27th December 1950.
Launched - 18th August 1951.
Service (NYK) 9th November 1951 to 19th June 1972.

Length 151 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,577Grt.

M.V. Aki Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. AKI MARU; one of a class of six sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha � Aso Maru, Arima Maru, Awata Maru, Arita Maru, Aki Maru and Atsuta Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1438.
IMO 5007053
Laid down - 8th April 1953.
Launched - 26th October 1953.
Service (NYK) 5th February 1954 to 3rd August 1972.

Length 151 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,733Grt.

M.V. Atsuta Maru (iii), � unknown.

M.V. ATSUTA MARU; last in a class of six sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha � Aso Maru, Arima Maru, Awata Maru, Arita Maru, Aki Maru and Atsuta Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,442.
IMO 5030191
Laid down - 8th April 1953.
Launched - 6th March 1954.
Service (NYK) 5th June 1954 to 21st April 1977.

Length 150.9 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,745Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some more pictures of the Aso Maru class motorships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha. This Nagasaki version of the "A" class can be identified by......

1. Double king-posts instead of goal-post masts between 2 & 3 hatches and between 4 & 5 hatches.
2. Fewer and thicker stanchions on the promenade deck.

M.V. Awata Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. Awata Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. AWATA MARU; one of a class of six sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha � Aso Maru, Arima Maru, Awata Maru, Arita Maru, Aki Maru and Atsuta Maru.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,428.
IMO 5031858
Laid down - 25th December 1951.
Launched - 26th May 1952.
Service (NYK) 25th August 1952 to 25th April 1973.

Length 150.9 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,601Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another Aso Maru class motorship......

M.V. Atsuta Maru......

M.V. Atsuta Maru (i), � unknown. The first photograph I bought for my collection of post-war Japanese merchant ships.

M.V. Atsuta Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. ATSUTA MARU; last in a class of six sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha � Aso Maru, Arima Maru, Awata Maru, Arita Maru, Aki Maru and Atsuta Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,442.
IMO 5030191
Laid down - 8th April 1953.
Launched - 6th March 1954.
Service (NYK) 5th June 1954 to 21st April 1977.

Length 150.9 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,745Grt.


Want to see a different shipping line now?

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

To meet competition from other lines' new high-speed motorships on the North European routes in the early-to-mid 1960s, Mitsui-OSK introduced their "B" class motorships in 1966. They represented the very latest thought in cargoship design and represented the last generation of cargoships before the introduction of cellular containerships. The "B" class were among the first to introduce electric cranes rather than kingposts-and-derricks. They wore the then new Mitsui-OSK livery of a teal hull, green boot-topping, off-white upperworks and a vermilion funnel......

M.V. Bristol Maru......

M.V. Bristol Maru (i), � Mitsui.

M.V. Bristol Maru (ii), � Real Photographs Co. Ltd.

M.V. Bristol Maru (iii), � unknown. Tilbury Dock, London, 15th March 1970.

M.V. BRISTOL MARU; one of a class of four �B� type fast motorships for Mitsui-OSK�s North European route, Bremen Maru, Bristol Maru, Bergen Maru and Barcelona Maru. The only one of her class to be jumboised into a cellular containership.

Builder � Mitsui Zosen K.K, Tamano. Yard N�. 743.
IMO 6615558
Laid down - 26th January 1966.
Launched - 15th June 1966.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 19th September 1966 to 1985.

Length 166 metres (jumboised to 180 metres in 1978), breadth 23 metres. 11,720Grt, then 14,213Grt (jumboised).


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some more Mitsui-OSK "B" class motorships......

M.V. Bergen Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. BERGEN MARU; one of a class of four �B� type fast motorships for Mitsui-OSK�s North European route, Bremen Maru, Bristol Maru, Bergen Maru and Barcelona Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe. Yard N�. 966.
IMO 6618433
Laid down - 16th February 1966.
Launched - 23rd July 1966.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 20th October 1966 to 1st June 1983.

Length 166 metres, breadth 23.3 metres. 10,450Grt.

M.V. Barcelona Maru (i), � unknown. Hamburg, 1972 with containers on deck.

M.V. BARCELONA MARU; one of a class of four �B� type fast motorships for Mitsui-OSK�s North European route, Bremen Maru, Bristol Maru, Bergen Maru and Barcelona Maru. She achieved 24.69 knots on trial.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe. Yard N�. 967.
IMO 6705808
Laid down - 15th July 1966.
Launched - 29th October 1966.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 10th January 1967 to 18th April 1983.

Length 166 metres, breadth 23.3 metres. 10,463Grt.


And to give an idea of what they looked like in colour......

M.V. Bristol Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. BRISTOL MARU; one of a class of four �B� type fast motorships for Mitsui-OSK�s North European route, Bremen Maru, Bristol Maru, Bergen Maru and Barcelona Maru. The only one of her class to be jumboised into a cellular containership.

Builder � Mitsui Zosen K.K, Tamano. Yard N�. 743.
IMO 6615558
Laid down - 26th January 1966.
Launched - 15th June 1966.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 19th September 1966 to 1985.

Length 166 metres (jumboised to 180 metres in 1978), breadth 23 metres. 11,720Grt, then 14,213Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

To allow a similar level of service on their transpacific-Panama-New York service, Mitsui-OSK then introduced their "S" class motorships in 1967. The "S" class featured twin hatches and each hatch was served by its own electric crane.

M.V. Sacramento Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. SACRAMENTO MARU; name-ship of a class of four �S� type fast motorships built for Mitsui-OSK�s fast service to New York, Sacramento Maru, San Francisco Maru, Savannah Maru and St. Louis Maru. for the fast service to New York.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe. Yard N�. 970.
IMO 6719225
Laid down - 10th January 1967.
Launched - 3rd April 1967.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 20th June 1967 to 8th July 1981.

Length 155.7 metres, breadth 21.8 metres. 6,743Grt.

M.V. San Francisco Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. SAN FRANCISCO MARU; one of a class of four �S� type fast motorships built for Mitsui-OSK�s fast service to New York, Sacramento Maru, San Francisco Maru, Savannah Maru and St. Louis Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Zosen K.K, Innoshima. Yard N�. 4,168.
IMO 6713594
Laid down - 26th December 1966.
Launched - 25th March 1967.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 17th July 1967 to 18th August 1981.

Length 155.7 metres, breadth 21.8 metres. 6,750Grt.

M.V. Savannah Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. SAVANNAH MARU; one of a class of four �S� type fast motorships built for Mitsui-OSK�s fast service to New York, Sacramento Maru, San Francisco Maru, Savannah Maru and St. Louis Maru.

Builder � Mitsui Zosen K.K, Tamano. Yard N�. 744.
IMO 6715645
Laid down - 26th December 1966.
Launched - 24th April 1967.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 19th July 1967 to 21st September 1981.

Length 155.7 metres, breadth 21.9 metres. 6,756Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more Mitsui-OSK motorships from the same generation, but less specialised types......

M.V. Rosario Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. ROSARIO MARU; name-ship of a class of four sisterships built for Mitsui-OSK�s general cargo service to South American ports, Rosario Maru, Rio de Janeiro Maru, Recife Maru and Rio Grande Maru.

Builder � Sanoyasu Dockyard, Osaka. Yard N�. 233.
IMO 6512665
Laid down - 26th December 1964.
Launched - 18th February 1965.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 4th May 1965 to 24th July 1979.

Length 139.9 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 7,696Grt.

M.V. Corinto Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. CORINTO MARU; one of a class of four �C� type sisterships built for Mitsui-OSK�s Central American/Caribbean service, Caracas Maru, Cristobal Maru, Corinto Maru and Cura�ao Maru.

Builder � Mitsui Zosen K.K, Tamano. Yard N�. 873.
IMO 7007421
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service (Mitsui-OSK) 1970 to 1983.

Length 155.7 metres, breadth 22 metres. 7,279Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) also introduced a new generation of high speed motorships in the mid 1960s. The largest and fastest of the new K-Line ships were the superbly rakish France Maru class; a quartet of motorships built for K-Lines' new Japan-Panama Canal-Southern European ports route......

M.V. France Maru......

M.V. France Maru (i), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. France Maru (ii), � A. Duncan.

M.V. FRANCE MARU; nameship of a class of four high-speed motorships for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s European route, France Maru, Italy Maru, Spain Maru and Portugal Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,088.
IMO 6711091
Laid down � 24th December 1966.
Launched � 10th February 1967.
Service (K-Line) 4th April 1967 to 9th February 1983.

Length 167 metres, breadth 22.7 metres. 10,793Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)