HIROSHIMA, Japan — On January 7th, 2015, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. (headquartered at 1083 Tsuneishi, Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. President : Kenji Kawano) completed the building of an 82,000-mt D/W type bulk carrier named the “ULTRA LION.”

TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.
http://www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english/

KAMSARMX BC site
http://www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english/products/kamsarmax_sp/

Said vessel — branded “KAMSARMAX,” an original design developed by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd., — marks the 200th ship of the same model produced by the company. Built particularly by TSUNEISHI GROUP (ZHOUSHAN) SHIPBUILDING, Inc. at Zhoushan City in the Zhejiang Province of China, the ship is to be delivered to buyer KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

The first KAMSARMAX bulk carrier was completed in February of 2005. 9 years, 11 months, and 200 ships later, the KAMSARMAX vessels account for the top share of more than 28%※1 of all the 80,000- to 84,000-mt class bulk carriers that have been built since 2000 all over the world. A quick response to new international rules and improvements in performance quality, such as fuel efficiency, have lent to this ship’s popularity, resulting to more orders being made for this particular model. As of the end of December 2014, the company’s order book reflects a number closely approaching 300, making the KAMSARMAX the best-selling ship ever of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.

The 82,000-mt D/W KAMSARMAX bulk carrier was the international maritime industry’s first ship type to increase the deadweight of Panamax bulk carriers (vessels whose structural dimensions make them capable of traversing the Panama Canal) from the 70,000-mt class to more than 80,000-mt, and is simultaneously responsible for increasing transportation efficiency of vessels. With a higher fuel efficiency due to having enhanced features that reduce wave and wind resistance, this model has been received well by many customers both in Japan and overseas.

Ever since the first design model was fully accomplished in 2002, we have kept ourselves abreast of international rules, developing products that not only comply with current regulations, but also match and satisfy the user’s needs. In joint studies with the research institutes of Hiroshima University and the Monohakobi Technology Institute, data was gathered from tests using large towing tanks and 1/10 scale models to recreate real sea conditions in order to find optimal solutions in improving the vessel’s energy-saving capabilities and propulsion performance. Features like the MT-FAST※2 (to improve propulsion efficiency) and SEAWORTHY※3 (to reduce wave resistance) were introduced in the 2006 improved model of the KAMSARMAX. In 2010, the model was further enhanced with a high-efficiency, low-vibration propeller developed with TOP-GR※4 technology which, together with the refined hull shape, boosts propeller propulsion capability, as well as having an engine that complies with the NOx emission reduction regulation (Tier 2). The 2012 KAMSARMAX is a ship that made standard the electronically-controlled engine in all subsequent products of TSUNEISHI SHIP BUILDING Co., Ltd., including cost-effective fuel consumption functionality.

Mr. Katsuya Abe, President of NISSEN KAIUN CO., LTD. at Imabari City of the Ehime Prefecture (one of the major clients for the KAMSARMAX), had this to say: “The KAMSARMAX bulk carrier has good fuel efficiency. We have repeatedly ordered the ship as it contributes to the enhancement of our competitiveness as a shipping company. Additionally, the hull shape that was developed to reduce wave resistance not only ensures high propulsion performance, but also has beautiful proportions.”

Overwhelmed by the international recognition and acclaim we have garnered for our ship, and after nearly a decade of orders for this very model, Mr. Kenji Kawano, President of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd., wishes to convey our group’s message of thanks: “We would like to express our profound gratitude to our many customers and suppliers for their significant support that has allowed us to build 200 KAMSARMAX bulk carriers since 2005. We wish to devote the passion and energy of our group’s shipbuilding bases in Japan, the Philippines, and China into pursuing fuel efficiency, propulsion performance, and easy cargo handling in every ship we design and deliver, paving and leading the way in the worldwide maritime industry.”

※1 The number of 80,000 mt to 84,000 mt bulk carriers built between 2000 and 2014.
(Compiled by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING based on data from “Clarkson Shipping Data
2014/3rd Quarter”)
※2 Equipped with “MT-FAST” multiple-wing structure. This improves propulsion efficiency approximately 4% by smoothing out water flow.　This was developed with the Monohakobi Technology Institute, a Nippon Yusen Group company.
※3 Adopted the “SEAWORTHY” design for reducing wave resistance at the fore bow. This allows the sea margin (increased resistance to waves) when carrying cargo to be reduced by as much as 5% due to low resistance even in rough seas. This was developed with Hiroshima University.
※4 “Tsuneishi Optimized Propulsive Gear: TOP-GR”
Through precise computer-based calculations and simulations, propulsion efficiency is increased by developing a low-vibration, energy-saving propeller with a design that optimizes the blade number, diameter, aerofoil shape, and blade geometric distribution.

■KAMSARMAX bulk carrier – Changes in the design　

1st model：2002
– Ship length was increased from the 225 m which was standard for Panamax bulk carriers to 229 m, and the deadweight was increased from 76,000 mt class to 82,000 mt class.

2nd model：2006
-Equipped with “MT-FAST” which smoothes water flow and increases propulsion efficiency.
– The “SEAWORTHY” hull design to reduce wave resistance was adopted as standard.

3rd model：2010
-A high-efficiency, low-vibration propeller designed with TOP-GR technology for increased propeller propulsion efficiency was adopted.
– The hull shape was improved and wave resistance reduced.
– Engines that comply with the NOx (nitrous oxides) emission reduction international regulation (Tier 2) were adopted.
– Ballast water management system added as standard.

4th model：2012
– Electronically-controlled engines added as standard.

■About the 200th ship: “ULTRA LION”
Main particulars
Type ：D/W 81,600 mt type bulk carrier
Length ：229 m
Breadth ：32.26 meters
Depth ：20.00 meters
Draft (full load) ：14.40 m
Deadweight ：81,600 metric tons
Main engine ：MAN B&W 6S50ME-C8.2
Cargo capacity ：97,000 m3
Shipyard ：TSUNEISHI GROUP (ZHOUSHAN) SHIPBUILDING, Inc.　
http://www.tsuneishi-zs.com/en/

■About TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.
A group company of TSUNEISHI GROUP. TSUNEISHI GROUP is established in Hiroshima prefecture Japan, 112 years ago and its main business operations are in shipbuildiing and shipping. TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. builds about 60 vessels per year, centered on the 30,000 ton to 180,000 ton class bulk carriers, and is one of the top shipyards in the Japan, out of its Tsuneishi Factory(head office), and two foreign factories located in the Philippines and China.

URL: http://www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english/
President ：Kenji Kawano
Field of Business ：Shipbuilding, Ship repairing
Established ：July 1917
Capital ：100 million yen
Employees ：Approximately 710 (as of December 2013)
Business Locations：Tsuneishi Factory
(Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama-city, Hiroshima,Japan)

－ For inquiries regarding this matter, contact: －
TSUNEISHI HOLDINGS CORPORATION
CSV Division, Marketing Communication Dept.
pr@tsuneishi.com
Head Office (Fukuyama) TEL: +81-84-987-4915
Tokyo Office TEL: +81-3-3264-7733