January 17, 2013 was the day of naming and delivery ceremonies for S507, the first refrigerated cargo carrier Kyokuyo has built since 5 years.

You probably know that reefers are one of our specialities. After carefully listening to the needs of owners and superintendents, we totally remodelled our best-selling ultra-low-temperature design to be a next-generation 'eco-ship' with a slightly bigger capacity of 280,000cft - the world's biggest for ultra-low-temp reefer boat (ULTR).

This ship has a 'ballast water-free' design, profiting from the reefer's special trade patterns. While widely used, the ballast water system is now known to give a negative impact on the marine environment, by transporting various biological materials with water. We have dumped it to create a greener vessel without relying on costly water-treatment equipment or heavily coated tanks.

For machinery part, the vessel has been given a complete fresh-water central cleaning system. Fuel supplying system is low-sulfur-oil-friendly and the F.O. tanks comply fully with the latest protection regulations without sacrificing the capacity. To improve usability under low load - fuel saving - conditions, the propeller and shafting are carefully designed to minimize twisting vibration for the load range the owner is expected to use most frequently.

And there are lots more! Her cooling units use R404a - popular refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential. A basic data-logger is fitted to monitor engine room operation. LED lights in cargo holds - the first in the world for a reefer of -50C class, etc. etc. There's too much to write here!

The naming and delivery of the new generation ULTR was celebrated by Mr. Hiroyuki Seno, President of her owner Yamane Sangyo Co., Ltd., and 35 other guests. Mr. Yasumasa Kashiwagi from Mitsubishi Corporation named her "IBUKI", and Ms. Chifumi Seno, beloved daughter of Mr. Seno, then cut the vessels' tethering rope.

After ceremonies onboard, the guests moved to the banquet hall in Shimonoseki downtown. Everybody gave a loud cheer for IBUKI which made an impressive appearance through the windows. Being watched by 70+ warm eyes, the world's largest ULTR reefer slowly left her hometown.

We wish safe journeys and a great future to IBUKI and wish a further success to Yamane Sangyo, Co., Ltd!

[2013/02/04]