The agreement with OgaKatagami Akita Offshore Green Energy strengthens the national naval supply chain and supports Japan’s renewable energy objectives
Tokyo – The Japanese company Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Nyk) has signed a long-term charter contract with OgaKatagami Akita Offshore Green Energy for a Japanese-built Crew Transfer Vessel (Ctv). The unit will serve the country’s first offshore wind farm built in open marine areas.
The vessel, 28 meters long and weighing 145 tons, will be built by the Kosaba Shipbuilding shipyard and will operate off the coast of Oga, Katagami, and Akita, in support of a 315 MW wind project developed by a consortium consisting of Jera Nexbp Japan, J-Power, Tohoku Electric Power, and Itochu Corporation. The wind farm, which involves the installation of 21 turbines, will be operational by June 2028 under the framework of the Japanese law for the promotion of renewable energy in marine areas.
The design of the Ctv will be based on a model already used by the European operator Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S), controlled by Nyk, but adapted for local construction. Management will be entrusted to Japan Offshore Support Co (Josco), a joint venture between Nyk and Akita Eisen, which is also committed to training and hiring local crews for the offshore wind sector.
Nyk stated that the project will contribute to national energy transition goals and the strengthening of the domestic shipbuilding industry, generating employment and technical expertise in the region. The agreement also marks Nyk’s return to the Kosaba shipyards, following the first order for a domestic CTV placed in February 2024.
