Mitsui O.S.K. plans to build pair of 35,000gt cruise ships

PHOTO: ©SADATO ISHIZUKA/MITSUI O.S.K. LINES CRUISE_Nippon_Maru.jpg
The 1990-built Nippon Maru
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced its intention to build two 35,000gt cruise ships at a total price of approximately ¥100b ($717m).

The first is expected to be delivered around 2027. The shipyard is to be decided.

The vessels are expected to be registered in Japan.

Currently operates Nippon Maru

Mitsui O.S.K. currently operates the 1990-built, 22,472gt Nippon Maru.

As part of a strategy to strengthen its non-cargo business, the company has decided to build two ocean-going cruise ships to 'capture domestic and international cruise demand, which has less linkage to shipping market fluctuations and is expected to expand in the future,' Mitsui O.S.K. President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto said.

'While the impact of this decision on the company's consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2023 is expected to be negligible,' he added, 'the company believes that this decision will contribute to the improvement of business performance over the medium to long term.'