NEWS 348 : WELCOME BACK!
After a period of unsettled weather, the skies cleared just in time for the delivery ceremony, allowing the event to proceed smoothly under bright spring sunshine. Serving as sponsor for both the naming and rope-cutting ceremonies was Ms. Iro Leventi, wife of Mr. Petros Periklis Vasilopoulos, Vice President of Paradise Gas Carriers Corp. The vessel's name, YIANNIOS, is a Greek diminutive of Ioannis. The name was chosen in honor of Ioannis ("Yiannios"), founder of the Paradise Gas Carriers Group and father of its current leader, Mr. Konstantinos Tsakiris.
Kyokuyo's 7,500 m³ LPG carriers are today among the most successful vessel series in our portfolio, but their story began with PGC PATREAS, delivered to the same group in May 2017. Paradise Gas Carriers has continued to place its trust in Kyokuyo ever since, and PGC YIANNIOS marks the fifth vessel we have built for the group and the first in eight years.
Throughout all five projects, Mr. George Koutsoukos ("Jooji-san") has served as site superintendent on behalf of the owner. His guidance has at times been demanding, but always fair, constructive, and deeply appreciated. We are grateful for the role he has played in helping shape each vessel from PGC PATREAS to PGC YIANNIOS.
Following delivery, the vessel joined the fleet of Eifuku Kaiun Co., Ltd., a member of KIBOHO NO KAI, a shipowner group based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. During the celebration banquet, KIBOHO NO KAI presented a ceremonial sake barrel and traditional wooden masu cups. Led by Chairman Funada, members of the group delivered a spirited Age-Shio Call ("Rising Tide Call") to wish the vessel success on her voyages ahead, helping make the celebration a memorable one. For the first time in a Kyokuyo delivery celebration, the sake barrel was completely emptied.
The ceremony brought together not only business partners, but also families from Greece, Kure, and Shimonoseki. Long-standing friendships were renewed, new connections were formed, and conversations continued throughout the day as relationships built over many years - and across generations - grew even stronger.
* SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is an emissions control technology that converts NOx in exhaust gases into harmless nitrogen and water, and is one of the most widely adopted solutions for achieving Tier III compliance.
** IMO Tier III NOx regulations are the most stringent nitrogen oxide emission standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Applicable to new vessels operating in designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs), they require approximately 80% lower NOx emissions compared with Tier II standards.
