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

[Caravellarella]

The other members of this class, including the record breaking M.V. Italy Maru......

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

M.V. ITALY MARU; one of a class of four high-speed motorships for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s European route, France Maru, Italy Maru, Spain Maru and Portugal Maru. Italy Maru broke the trans-pacific speed record in August 1967 with a crossing of 8 days and 18 hours.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,089.
IMO 6719093
Laid down � 17th January 1967.
Launched - 10th June 1967.
Service (K-Line) 7th August 1967 to 12th May 1982.

Length 167 metres, breadth 22.6 metres. 10,791Grt.

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

M.V. SPAIN MARU; one 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�. 1,095.
IMO 6729646
Laid down � 24th April 1967.
Launched � 7th September 1967.
Service (K-Line) 6th November 1967 to 18th February 1983.

Length 167 metres, breadth 22.6 metres. 10,786Grt.

M.V. Portugal Maru (iv), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. PORTUGAL MARU; last 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�. 1,096.
IMO 6808870
Laid down � 10th July 1967.
Launched � 1st December 1967.
Service (K-Line) 5th February 1968 to 26th April 1982.

Length 167 metres, breadth 22.7 metres. 10,786Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha had previously introduced another class of five motorships to update service in their Japan-Suez Canal-Northern European ports route. The Denmark Maru class resembled the France Maru class in many ways, but were smaller and slower.

M.V. Denmark Maru......

M.V. Denmark Maru (iii), � Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

M.V. Denmark Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. DENMARK MARU; name-ship of a class of five motorships built for renewal in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Northern European route, Denmark Maru, Holland Maru, Sweden Maru, Norway Maru and Belgium Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,060.
IMO 6517770
Laid down � 18th February 1965.
Launched � 15th June 1965.
Service (K-Line) 9th August 1965 to 8th June 1978.

Length 151.4 metres, breadth 21.1 metres. 8,774Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some other members of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha's Denmark Maru class......

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

M.V. Belgium Maru (ii), � A. Duncan.

M.V. BELGIUM MARU; last in a class of five motorships built for renewal in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Northern European route, Denmark Maru, Holland Maru, Sweden Maru, Norway Maru and Belgium Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,078.
IMO 6701838
Laid down � 6th July 1966.
Launched � 1st October 1966.
Service (K-Line) 5th December 1966 to 22nd February 1978.

Length 151.4 metres, breadth 21.1 metres. 8,858Grt.

M.V. Sweden Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. SWEDEN MARU; one of a class of five motorships built for renewal in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Northern European route, Denmark Maru, Holland Maru, Sweden Maru, Norway Maru and Belgium Maru.

Builder � Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd, Kobe. Yard N�. 1,069.
IMO 6612881
Laid down � 12th January 1966.
Launched � 25th March 1966.
Service (K-Line) 6th June 1966 to 5th March 1978.

Length 151.4 metres, breadth 21.1 metres. 8,856Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is another class of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorship from the same period, but built for transpacific routes to the Caribbean and Central America......

M.V Guatemala Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. GUATEMALA MARU; name-ship of a class of six sisterships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Caribbean/Central American route, Guatemala Maru, Honduras Maru, El Salvador Maru, Nicaragua Maru, Jamaica Maru and Venezuela Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,119.
IMO 6605541
Laid down � 4th October 1965.
Launched � 28th November 1965.
Service (K-Line) 23rd Febuary 1966 to 26th May 1978.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.9 metres. 8,938Grt.

M.V. Nicaragua Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. NICARAGUA MARU; one of a class of six sisterships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Caribbean/Central American route, Guatemala Maru, Honduras Maru, El Salvador Maru, Nicaragua Maru, Jamaica Maru and Venezuela Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,122.
IMO 6719172
Laid down � 7th April 1967.
Launched - 25th May 1967.
Service (K-Line) 22nd August 1967 to 29th January 1981.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.8 metres. 8,798Grt.

M.V. El Salvador Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. EL SALVADOR MARU; one of a class of six sisterships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Caribbean/Central American route, Guatemala Maru, Honduras Maru, El Salvador Maru, Nicaragua Maru, Jamaica Maru and Venezuela Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,121.
IMO 6711077
Laid down � 26th December 1966.
Launched � 3rd March 1967.
Service (K-Line) 24th May 1967 to 5th December 1978.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.9 metres. 8,798Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha's Guatemala Maru class motorships......

M.V. Jamaica Maru......

M.V. Jamaica Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. JAMAICA MARU; one of a class of six sisterships built for expansion in Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s Caribbean/Central American route, Guatemala Maru, Honduras Maru, El Salvador Maru, Nicaragua Maru, Jamaica Maru and Venezuela Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,255.
IMO 6915104
Laid down � 4th December 1968.
Launched � 23rd March 1969
Service (K-Line) 20th June 1969 to 23rd June 1983.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.8 metres. 8,816Grt.


Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha also introduced a class of smaller general cargo motorships equipped with a St�lcken derrick for heavy lift capability. Here are two of the sisterships; there may have been more including M.V. Magellan Maru but there is little documentation to confirm this......

M.V. Gibraltar Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. GIBRALTAR MARU; one of a class of heavylift motorships built for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima, Nagoya. Yard N�. 2,006.
IMO 6828143
Laid down - 1st May 1968.
Launched - 15th July 1968.
Service (K-Line) 21st October 1968 to 28th September 1981.

Length 137.5 metres, breadth 20.5 metres. 8,167Grt.

M.V. Bashi Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. BASHI MARU; one of a class of heavylift motorships built for Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima, Nagoya. Yard N�. 2007.
IMO 7018135
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - 4th April 1970.
Service (K-Line) 1970 to 1983.

Length 137.5 metres, breadth 20.5 metres. 8,093Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some other Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha motorships. They appear to de identical (or very similar to) the Guatemala Maru class motorships but aren't listed as members of that class. There is very little documentation on Dominica Maru, Bahama Maru, Haiti Maru and Columbia Maru......

M.V. Dominica Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. Dominica Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. DOMINICA MARU; she may have been one of several sisterships including Bahama Maru, Colombia Maru and Haiti Maru and may have been built for the Caribbean/Central American route. She appears to be identical to the six sisterships of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s GUATEMALA Maru class.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,273.
IMO 7001675
Laid down � unknown.
Launched � unknown.
Service (K-Line) November 1969 to 1980.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.9 metres. 8,816Grt.

M.V. Bahama Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. BAHAMA MARU; she may have been one of several sisterships including Bahama Maru, Colombia Maru and Haiti Maru and may have been built for the Caribbean/Central American route. She appears to be identical to the six sisterships of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha�s GUATEMALA Maru class.

Builder � Hitachi Dockyard, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,274.
IMO 7005774
Laid down � unknown.
Launched � unknown.
Service (K-Line) 1970 to 1983.

Length 141 metres, breadth 20.9 metres. 8,822Grt.


Want to see a different shipping line?

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some Nippon Yusen Kaisha motorships from the same generation. The Futami Maru class were built for general cargo use and were built to carry containers; there is very little documentation available for these ships so I can't tell you anymore about them......

M.V. Fushimi Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. Fushimi Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. FUSHIMI MARU; one of a class of three sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Futami Maru, Fushimi Maru and Fuso Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe. Yard N�. 1016.
IMO 7007215
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service (NYK) 1970 to 1985.

Length 158.2 metres, breadth 22.4 metres. 10,946Grt.

M.V. Fuso Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. FUSO MARU; last in a class of three sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Futami Maru, Fushimi Maru and Fuso Maru.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe. Yard N�. 1017.
IMO 7011498
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service (NYK) 1970 to 1985.

Length 158.2 metres, breadth 22.4 metres. 10,984Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

The name-ship of the Futami Maru class motorships......

M.V. Futami Maru......

M.V. Futami Maru (i), � Hitachi Zosen K.K.

M.V. Futami Maru (ii), � unknown.

M.V. FUTAMI MARU; name-ship of a class of three sisterships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Futami Maru, Fushimi Maru and Fuso Maru.

Builder � Hitachi Zosen, Mukaishima. Yard N�. 4,335.
IMO 7116341
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - 5th July 1971.
Service (NYK) 1971 to 1985.

Length 159 metres, breadth 22.4 metres. 10,976Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here are some other Nippon Yusen Kaisha motorships form the same period. Both are poorly documented and I really can't tell you much about them. M.V. Wakaura Maru sports an impressive heavy-lift derrick though......

M.V. Wakaura Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. WAKAURA MARU; one of a class of three heavy-lift motorships built for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Wakamatsu Maru, Wakakusa Maru and Wakaura Maru.

Builder � Namura Dockyard, Osaka. Yard N�. 377.
IMO 6922482
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service (NYK) September 1969 to 1983.

Length 138 metres, breadth 18.9 metres. 7,673Grt.

M.V. Djakarta Maru (i), � A. Duncan; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. DJAKARTA MARU;a one-off motorship originally operated as JAKARUTA MARU for Tokyo Senpaku Kaisha, then a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kaisha.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard N�. 599.
IMO 5090971
Laid down � 15th March 1962.
Launched - 10th July 1962.
Service (Tokyo Senpaku then NYK) 26th September 1962 to 1983.

Length 129 metres, breadth 18 metres. 6,677Grt.


Want to see a different shipping line for a change?

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is a trio of Japan Line motorship reefers from the same period; built for service to New Zealand ports and all named after trees native to New Zealand; the Japan Rimu class. The Japan Line livery has a medium grey (for refrigerated ships only) hull with white titles, white upperworks, buff derricks and a medium blue-green funnel with a black top......

M.V. Japan Rimu (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. JAPAN RIMU; name-ship of a class of three motorships built for Japan Line Ltd�s New Zealand reefer service, Japan Rimu, Japan Kauri and Japan Totara.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard N�. 666.
IMO 6608529
Laid down � 17th September 1965.
Launched � 21st February 1966.
Service (Japan Line) 20th May 1966 to 1976.

Length 139.7 metres, breadth 19.2 metres. 7,001Grt.

M.V. Japan Kauri (i), � unknown.

M.V. JAPAN KAURI; one of a class of three motorships built for Japan Line Ltd�s New Zealand reefer service, Japan Rimu, Japan Kauri and Japan Totara.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard N�. 667.
IMO 6705925
Laid down � 16th July 1966.
Launched � 3rd December 1966.
Service (Japan Line) 22nd February 1967 to 1976.

Length 138.2 metres, breadth 19.3 metres. 6,996Grt.

M.V. Japan Totara (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. JAPAN TOTARA; last in a class of three motorships built for Japan Line Ltd�s New Zealand reefer service, Japan Rimu, Japan Kauri and Japan Totara.

Builder � Ishikawajima-Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard N�. 668.
IMO 6715499
Laid down � 12th October 1966.
Launched � 17th April 1967.
Service (Japan Line) 20th July 1967 to 1977.

Length 139.7 metres, breadth 19.2 metres. 7,009Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Yamashita Kisen Kaisha merged with Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha in April 1964 to form Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha (Y. S. Line). The Yamashita Kisen Kaisha livery consisted of a black hull with white titles, white upperworks, buff derricks and a deep buff funnel with a black top and a red logo. The post-merger livery dispensed with the funnel logo; new "Y. S. Line" titles were occasionally used. Here are some Yamashita Kisen Kaisha motorships in post merger Y.S. Line livery......

M.V. Yamaaki Maru (i), � unknown; in Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. YAMAAKI MARU; a one-off motorship built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha, the last built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha�s American route before the 1964 merger with Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha to create Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha (Y. S. Line).

Builder � Hitachi Zosen, Sakurajima. Yard N�. 3,927.
IMO 5394389
Laid down - unknown.
Launched 18th July 1961.
Service (Yamashita then Y.S. Line) to 1974.

Length 156.5 metres, breadth 19.7 metres. 9,308Grt.

M.V. Yamatoshi Maru (ii), � A. Duncan; in Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. Yamatoshi Maru (iv), � unknown; in Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. YAMATOSHI MARU; a one-off motorship built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha, the last built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha�s Australian route before the 1964 merger with Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha to create Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha (Y. S. Line).

Builder � Hitachi Zosen, Sakurajima. Yard N�. 3,956.
IMO 5394858
Laid down � 23rd March 1962.
Launched � 19th July 1962.
Service (Yamashita then Y.S. Line) 20th October 1962 to 6th April 1977.

Length 154 metres, breadth 20.1 metres. 8,892Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Here is another Yamashita Kisen Kaisha motorship; the M.V. Yamaharu Maru......

In Osaka Shosen Kaisha livery (presumably on lease/charter)......

M.V. Yamaharu Maru (vi), � A. Duncan; in Osaka Shosen Kaisha livery.

In post-merger Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha livery......

M.V. Yamaharu Maru (iv), � unknown; in Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha livery.

M.V. YAMAHARU MARU; a one-off motorship built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha, she was transferred after the merger of Yamashita Kisen Kaisha and Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha to the new merged company Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen Kaisha (Y.S. Line) in 1964.

Builder � Hitachi Zosen, Sakurajima. Yard N�. 3723.
IMO 5394420
Laid down - 11th April 1953.
Launched - 10th November 1953.
Service (Yamashita then Y.S. Line) 28th January 1954 to 21st April 1971.

Length 143.3 metres, breadth 18.1 metres. 7,118Grt.


Here is a link to the "nifty" page for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha......
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships//co ... _list2.htm

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha had been one of the original parts of the Mitsubishi Corporation. This shipping line part merged with Nippon Yusen Kaisha in April 1964. The standard Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha livery consisted of a a black hull with a white strake (sometime white Mitsubishi Line titles were applied), white upper works & derricks and a black & white funnel with the well-known Mitsubishi logo in red. Here is a Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha motorship; M.V. Caledonia Maru......

In Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha livery......

M.V. Caledonia Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

In Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery after 1964......

M.V. Caledonia Maru (iii), � unknown; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. CALEDONIA MARU; a one-off ship motorship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, she was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima. Yard N�. 133.
IMO 5057797
Laid down - 17th September 1956.
Launched - 30th January 1957.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) 25th May 1957 to 1972.

Length 128 metres (pp), breadth 18.6 metres. 7,553Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha motorships......

M.V. Oceania Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. OCEANIA MARU; a one-off ship motorship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, she was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima. Yard N�. 137.
IMO 5260667
Laid down - 24th December 1957.
Launched - 21st April 1958.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) 18th July 1958 to 1977.

Length 151.2 metres, breadth 19.4 metres. 8,906Grt.

M.V. Boston Maru (i), � unknown; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. Boston Maru (ii), � unknown; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. BOSTON MARU; second in a class of two motorships and the last ship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, Hampton Maru and Boston Maru. She was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima. Yard N�. 157.
IMO 5049269
Laid down - 15th November 1961.
Launched - 23rd April 1962.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) 17th June 1962 to 9th April 1982.


Terry (Caravellarella)

Length 156.6 metres, breadth 19.6 metres. 9,214Grt.

[Caravellarella]

Some more Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha motorships......

M.V. Columbia Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. COLUMBIA MARU; a one-off ship motorship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, she was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Nishi Nippon (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), Nagasaki. Yard N�. 1,422.
IMO 5077369
Laid down - 23rd March 1951.
Launched - 19th September 1951.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) 30th November 1951 to 1969.

Length 141.3 metres, breadth 18.4 metres. 7,119Grt.

M.V. Hampton Maru (i), � A. Duncan; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. Hampton Maru (ii), � unknown; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. HAMPTON MARU; name-ship of a class of two motorships built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, Hampton Maru and Boston Maru. She was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima. Yard N�. 154.
IMO 5141445
Laid down March 1961.
Launched 27th July 1961.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) October 1961 to 1st June 1982.


Terry (Caravellarella)

Length 156.6 metres, breadth 19.6 metres. 9,231Grt.

[Caravellarella]

Some more Mitusbishi Kaiun Kaisha motorships......

M.V. Astoria Maru (i), � unknown.

M.V. ASTORIA MARU; a one-off ship motorship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, she was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 785.
IMO 5027572
Laid down � 26th December 1951.
Launched - 26th June 1952.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) 31st July 1952 to 15th April 1974.

Length 150.5 metres, breadth 19.0 metres. 7,611Grt.

M.V. Gloria Maru (iv), � unknown; in Nippon Yusen Kaisha livery.

M.V. GLORIA MARU; a one-off ship motorship built for Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha, she was transferred to Nippon Yusen Kaisha after the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun Kaisha in 1964.

Builder � Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Yokohama. Yard N�. 821.
IMO 5132470
Laid down � unknown.
Launched - 20th November 1957.
Service (Mitsubishi then NYK) February 1958 to 1976.

Length 146.3 metres, breadth 19.1 metres. 8,471Grt.


Want to see some other shipping lines instead?

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Inui Kisen Kaisha was another smaller shipping line that was absorbed by one of the larger shipping corporations. The Inui Kisen Kaisha livery had a black hull with a white strake, white upperworks, cream derricks/kingposts/masts and a medium blue funnel with a red emblem on a broad white stripe. There is very little documentation on this shipping line and its fleet......

M.V. Kenyo Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

M.V. KENYO MARU; a one-off motorship built for Inui Kisen Kaisha, which became a subsidiary of Mitsui Senpaku Kaisha (later Mitsui-OSK Line).

Builder � Mitsui Dockyard, Tamano. Yard No. 574.
IMO 5185415
Laid down � date unknown.
Launched - 19th November 1952.
Service (Inui Kisen then Mitsui Senpaku then Mitsui OSK) February 1953 to 1973.

M.V. Inuisan Maru (iii), � A. Duncan; in Mitsui Senpaku Kaisha livery.

M.V. INUISAN MARU; a one-off motorship built for Inui Kisen Kaisha, which became a subsidiary of Mitsui Senpaku Kaisha (later Mitsui-OSK Line).

Builder � Fujinagata Dockyard, Osaka. Yard N�. 31.
IMO 5162085
Laid down � date unknown.
Launched - 20th March 1954.
Service (Inui Kisen then Mitsui Senpaku then Mitsui OSK) June 1954 to 1973.

Length 142.2 metres, breadth 18.4 metres. 7,197Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Dear Boys & Girls, here is another confusing Japanese shipping line; Nitto Shosen Kaisha (Nitto Line).

Nitto Shosen Kaisha operated a large post-war fleet of ships, most of which had very similar names. The livery had a black hull with white titles, white upperworks, cream derricks/kingposts/masts, a black funnel with a red & white band and red & white emblem superimposed.

Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged with Daido Kaiun Kaisha (Daido Line) in April 1964 to create Japan Line Ltd. The merged line's livery had a black hull (or grey for reefers) with white titles, white upperworks and a medium blue-green funnel with a black top......

M.V. Dowa Maru (i), � A. Duncan.

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

Builder � Uraga Dockyard, Uraga. Yard N�. 707.
IMO 5093442
Laid down � unknown.
Launched - 28th December 1956.
Service (Nitto Shosen then Japan Line) 1957 to 1972.

Length 137.3 metres, breadth 18.2 metres. 7,416Grt.

M.V. Daiwa Maru (iii), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

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

M.V. DAIWA MARU; one of a pair of motorships built for Nitto Shosen Kaisha, Daiwa Maru and Howa Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Ishikawajima�Harima Dockyard, Tokyo. Yard N�. 818.
IMO 5085287
Laid Down � unknown.
Launched 17th October 1961.
Service (Nitto Shosen then Japan Line) 1962 to 1983.

Length 156 metres, breadth 19.7 metres. 9,353Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Some more Nitto Shosen Kaisha motorships in Japan Line livery......

M.V. Howa Maru (iii), � Ulrich Kampfmeier; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

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

M.V. HOWA MARU; second of a pair of motorships built for Nitto Shosen Kaisha, Daiwa Maru and Howa Maru. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line.

Builder � Kure Zosensho, Kure. Yard N�. 61.
IMO 5155812
Laid down - unknown.
Launched 21st November 1961.
Service (Nitto Shosen then Japan Line) to 1982.

Length 156 metres, breadth 19.7 metres. 9,358Grt.

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

M.V. TENWA MARU; a one-off steamship reefer built as S.S. MANTETSU MARU No.3 for Shin Nippon Kaiun Kaisha, she became S.S. TENWA MARU for Nitto Shosen Kaisha in 1957 and was converted to a motorship in 1960. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line Ltd.

Builder � Harima Dockyard, Aioi. Yard No. 469.
IMO 5355644
Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service February 1952 to 1970.

Length 122.7 metres, breadth 16.3 metres. 4,795Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Caravellarella]

Another old Nitto Shosen Kaisha motorship in Japan Line livery......

M.V. Kowa Maru (vi), � unknown; in Japan Line Ltd livery.

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

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

M.V. KOWA MARU; a one-off motorship built as MANTETSU MARU No.5 for Shin Nippon Kaiun Kaisha, she became KOWA MARU for Nitto Shosen Kaisha in 1957. She transferred to the Japan Line Ltd when Daido Kaiun Kaisha and Nitto Shosen Kaisha merged in 1964 to create Japan Line Ltd. As Daido Kaiun Kaisha had also contributed another ship named Kowa Maru to the merged shipping line, this Nitto Shosen Kaisha ship was renamed KOTAKU MARU.

Builder � Sanoyasu Dockyard Co Ltd, Osaka. Yard N�. 113.
IMO 5195575
Laid down � unknown.
Launched � 16th February 1953.
Service May 1953 to 1970.

Length 122.7 metres, breadth 16.4 metres. 4,842Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)