Our first big event this year was the delivery of S501, a 6,600tdw type RORO ship ordered by Europe-based SHIPLUX VIII s.a., which was held on January 25. She is the second of the 4-ship series.

The guests include Mr. Frank Davis, Managing Director of Euroship Service Ltd. which takes care of the vessel's technical management, and Mr. Hiroyuki Osone, Executive Officer of Sojitz Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd., the prime contractor for the construction. After Mr. Sho Murakami, from Sojitz Marine, gave a toast with a short speech in fluent English, we all proceeded on board S501 for the ceremony.

It was very, very cold up there, as Japan was hit by a big cold wave that day. We were chilled to the bone ! But I felt that the cold had created a certain atmosphere of solemnity, too. With a very cool and calm mind, we celebrated the delivery of the new RORO carrier.

As we described in news143, this ship is based on our completely new design with many great features. After her and her elder sister S500, 2 more younger siblings are waiting for birth. For today, we wish S501 a safe and successful future!

[2012/02/13]