A new 480-gt cruise ship called the Amane was launched by Japanese shipping group NYK at Maehata Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Sasebo, Japan. This was done in advance of the ship's planned entry into Tokyo Bay service in May 2027, according to a statement released by the company.
The 48-metre vessel was named and launched on 11 September. Built to succeed Lady Crystal, a restaurant ship currently operating in Tokyo Bay, the ceremony was attended by numerous stakeholders, including Masamichi Katayama, founder and principal of Wonderwall®, the vessel's total designer, and Shimpei Terada, president of Tysons & Company, who designed the onboard guest experience. At the event, NYK Senior Managing Executive Officer Takuji Banno officially named the vessel Amane (海音). During the ceremony, Katayama performed the ceremonial rope-cutting, and Amane was successfully launched.

The name combines the kanji characters 海 ("sea") and 音 ("sound"), evoking the image of a serene voyage accompanied by the soothing sounds of the sea. It also reflects NYK's aspiration for both the vessel — and the vision it represents — to resonate broadly with people
Related: EU approves MSC-NYK joint venture for shipping to Africa

Amane is being built as the successor to Lady Crystal, a restaurant ship that is currently operating in Tokyo Bay. Following interior outfitting and related work, Amane is scheduled for delivery in March 2027, after which it is expected to enter service in May 2027. Amane will now undergo interior outfitting and related work before its scheduled delivery. It is expected to enter service in May 2027 and operate Tokyo Bay cruises from the Tennozu Isle waterfront district. The ship is approximately 48 metres long, about 9.5 metres wide, and about 2.1 metres deep. Its gross tonnage is approximately 480 tons.
Source: Press - Release
#Amane # NYK # Maehata Shipbuilding #Tokyo Bay cruises #Lady Crystal# Masamichi Katayama
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