Shin Nihonkai Ferry’s new HAMANASU enters service between Otaru and Maizuru on 1 September. The vessel’s first scheduled departure is from Otaru at 23:30, with arrival in Maizuru the following evening. Its introduction comes more than two months later than originally planned.
HAMANASU was initially scheduled to enter service on 29 June, but problems identified during construction delayed its delivery. In its official announcement on the new ferry, Shin Nihonkai Ferry confirmed the revised September start date. The vessel was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Shimonoseki shipyard.
The 199-metre ferry has capacity for 286 passengers, around 150 trucks and 30 passenger cars. It has a service speed of approximately 28.3 knots and incorporates several design features intended to reduce resistance and fuel consumption. Mitsubishi says the design provides an energy saving of around 5% compared with conventional vessels.
HAMANASU joins sister ship KEYAKI on the Otaru–Maizuru route. KEYAKI entered service in November 2025 and was the first of the two new ferries built for Shin Nihonkai Ferry and the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency.
Shin NihonkaiRoute: Otaru Mairzuru
