Tag: Japan

Japan has launched a new whaling expedition in Antarctica, with the Japanese Government calling it scientific research. The fleet is now on its way to conduct the expedition in the Antarctic Ocean through March. The ships plan to catch 333 minke whales in the country's fourth such whaling expedition since their resumption in 2015, according to the government.

On the 13th East Asia Summit at Singapore in mid-November, the Quad countries, namely India, US, Japan and Australia, are expected to revitalise the conversation concerning the maritime security and disaster relief initiatives as well as economic development projects in the critical Indo-Pacific region.

A total of 1,966 vessels have deliveries dates scheduled for 2018, but only 1,100 have hit the water so far this year, meaning 44% of the '18 orderbook is outstanding, according to VesselsValue. Ship deliveries typically slow down towards the end of the year, as a vessel is considered a whole year younger if shipowners wait a few weeks, allowing the delivery to slip into the new year.

Japan in collaboration with private companies have spent $4 billion to support LNG projects, mostly in Asia. These projects aim to drive the demand for the fuel, according to the country’s trade minister, Hiroshige Seko. The funds will go towards upstream, midstream and downstream LNG projects in developing countries in Asia.

The Oldendorff Carriers' ship Erna Oldendorff made contact with the Oshima bridge on her way to Etajima, Japan. No people were hurt and there are no reports of pollution at this time. The vessel is currently following instructions of the Japanese Coast Guard and has moved to a safe anchorage.

The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that it has discovered Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) egg masses on three vessels arriving from Japan during July and August 2018. The two of them were vehicle transport ships entering into Baltimore and the other one was inspected at Houston.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has concluded that Japan's whaling programme in the North Pacific is illegal. Namely, Japan’s import and sale of sei whale products from its whaling programme in the North Pacific has been censured as illegal by CITES.

Japan's first LNG-fueled tugboat was named and launched on 28 September. Built at Kanagawa Dockyard Co and owned by MOL, the tugboat was named 'Ishin' after the company's technology development project, the "Ishin Next - MOL Smart Ship Project" and is slated for delivery in February 2019.

At the 67th meeting of the International Whaling Commission, Humane Society International is calling on governments to reject Japan’s proposal to introduce an amendment that would directly nullify the moratorium on commercial whaling.

Japanese shipping venture Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) announced delivery of its latest container ship, 'ONE Aquila', with a carrying capacity of 14,000 TEU. The ship was delivered at Kure Shipyard of Japan Marine United Corporation and is owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha.