In this issue we report on a recent open-ship event where participated Natori, our award-winning container carrier.

The Headquarters for Ocean Policy (headed by the Prime Minister), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Nippon Foundation jointly started last year a project called "Umitonippon" (Japan and Oceans), which was meant to create interest in the sea and its importance by encouraging central and local governments, various organizations, companies and universities to roll out marine-related events and programs. This year, it is said to support 125 events held in 43 prefectures throughout Japan.

On July 18, to celebrate this "Marine Day", a series of events, like ceremonies and conferences were held as a part of the project in Harumi area of Tokyo port. 9 ocean-going ships - a big PCC, a marine research ship, a fisheries research vessel, 2 training tall ships, a coast guard patrol ship, 2 fishing patrol boats, and our Natori - had also berthed around, to provide visitors with rare chances to get freely onboard.

In our opinion, the presence of the elegant tall ships and the stern-looked patrol boats gave a nice contrast which made our charming Natori to look even more charming ! We were sure people felt the same way, as nearly 1,200 visitors got onboard Natori while we expected only 500. Men and women, young or old, single, couple and family, ship-fans and ship-beginners, our guests were diverse - so diverse that our experienced staffs who accompanied them had a tough time coping with a very wide variety of questions.

Winning awards, attracting attention from the media, and participating the public event - Natori is getting more and more fame!

[2016/08/05]