NYK announced that it has entered into a long-term time-charter agreement with Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy, a joint venture established by JERA Nex bp Japan, Electric Power Development(J-Power), Tohoku Electric Power, and Itochu Corporation, for the provision of a crew transfer vessel (CTV) to support offshore wind operations in Akita Prefecture.
The crew transfer vessel will be built by Kosaba Shipbuilding in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, and will operate along the coasts of Oga, Katagami, and Akita, supporting Japan’s first offshore wind project.
The vessel’s design is based on a model operated by Northern Offshore Services, Europe’s largest CTV operator, with design adjustments to enable domestic construction. The decision to build the vessel in Japan is expected to revitalize the local shipbuilding industry, create employment, and stimulate regional economic growth.
Vessel management will be undertaken by Japan Offshore Support, a joint venture between NYK and Akita Eisen. The company focuses on the training and employment of local crew, thereby fostering expertise in offshore wind operations and contributing to regional revitalization.
Through the deployment of CTVs for offshore wind farms off Oga, Katagami, and Akita, NYK aims to support Japan’s transition to renewable energy, ensure stable power supply, and strengthen its commitment to offshore wind power as a strategic growth area in the NYK Group’s long-term business plan.