Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, held a christening and launch ceremony in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, for the training ship WAKASHIO MARU, built for the National Institute of Technology, Toyama College, the company said in a statement.
The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works.
The handover of the vessel is scheduled for March 2026, after completion of interior work and sea trials. The ship will be used for practical training in ocean navigation, as well as for surveys and experiments related to maritime operations and oceanographic research.
The vessel will also support educational and community activities, aiming to train maritime personnel and raise awareness of maritime issues.
WAKASHIO MARU is the fifth-generation training ship for Toyama College and the first built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for the school. The previous vessel was launched in 1995.
The vessel measures approximately 56.3 meters in length, 10.6 meters in beam, and 5.8 meters in depth, with a gross tonnage of about 370 tonnes. The vessel accommodates around 60 people and has a service speed of 12.5 knots.
The new ship features training facilities such as a navigational simulator and a training switchboard, as well as wooden decks that require daily maintenance to help students develop seamanship skills. Separate main machinery and generator rooms allow trainees to learn to distinguish between different operational sounds and vibrations.
The vessel can also serve as a disaster response platform, equipped to provide water, electricity, and temporary accommodation, and to transport relief supplies. It includes oceanographic research instruments such as acoustic devices, an A-frame crane, and multiple winches.
These features take into account Toyama Bay’s specific conditions, including depths exceeding 1,000 meters and a three-layered water structure.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), specializing in the design and construction of ships and marine structures. The company operates multiple shipyards and provides engineering solutions for commercial, governmental, and research vessels.
