Working Conditions Aboard the Nippon-Maru

MOL Cruises, the leisure branch of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, has announced the retirement of the beloved 'Nippon Maru,' which will take place on May 10, 2026, in Yokohama. For 35 impressive years, this distinguished vessel has made its mark in the Japanese cruise sector, providing unique journeys around the Japanese archipelago and accessing charming smaller ports that larger ships cannot reach. With a deep commitment to cultural enrichment and traditional Japanese experiences, 'Nippon Maru' has left an indelible impact. The decision to retire the ship stems from operational and economic considerations. Over her remarkable journey, the 'Nippon Maru' has covered an astonishing 2,877,642 nautical miles, conducted over 2,000 cruises, welcomed more than 600,000 passengers, and visited over 400 ports both within Japan and beyond. In addition to her domestic routes, she undertook extended voyages, including nine world cruises. The legacy of the 'Nippon Maru' will be celebrated in her final season from February to May 2026, featuring a series of special cruises and events, complete with commemorative gifts and bespoke menus that honor her significant contributions to the Japanese cruising landscape.

The United States government is pursuing a claim exceeding $8 million against the operator of the 'Nippon Maru' following a pierside incident that occurred at Apra Harbor in 2018. A federal report has attributed primary responsibility for the accident to the ship's captain, whose alcohol consumption contributed to the mishap. The incident caused significant damage, amounting to $8,006,397.10, to the Navy’s fueling wharf, as stated in a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice on March 1, 2023. After years of unsuccessful attempts to reach an amicable settlement with the defendants, the Justice Department has escalated the matter by filing suit in the District Court of Guam. The lawsuit targets Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., the companies behind the 'Nippon Maru'. It seeks not only financial restitution but also aims to initiate the sale of the cruise ship to cover the U.S. claim, including accrued interest and costs. The court documents claim that the defendants demonstrated a lack of care and navigational skill, with the ship's master being particularly at fault, leading to the extensive damage to the fueling wharf. It is noted that during the incident—classified as an 'allision', wherein a moving vessel strikes a stationary object—the 'Nippon Maru' was in motion while the fueling wharf remained firmly in place. For more details, you'll find a comprehensive report and accompanying photo here: https://www.guampdn.com/news/us-sues-nippon-maru-cruise-ship-for-8m-damage-to-wharf-in-2018/article_5a3c8112-bbe4-11ed-ac02-6febc83692d7.html

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has embarked on an exciting new venture, collaborating with SenseTime Japan Ltd. to develop a pioneering vessel image recognition and recording system. Recently, this cutting-edge technology was installed for demonstration purposes aboard the cruise ship 'Nippon Maru,' managed by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, Ltd. This advanced system blends MOL's extensive maritime expertise with artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning capabilities, enabling it to accurately identify and record nearby vessels. Employing a terminal outfitted with a powerful graphic processing unit (GPU) and ultra-high-resolution cameras, the system demonstrates remarkable efficacy in vessel recognition. This innovative technology stands out due to its ability to operate effectively in various visibility conditions, including nighttime, allowing it to detect smaller vessels that conventional automatic identification systems (AIS) often miss. With a strong focus on the future of maritime operations, MOL considers this advanced image recognition technology a critical step toward achieving automated watch-keeping, an essential component of the autonomous smart ships they envision. Notably, while international treaties and domestic regulations mandate that vessels be fitted with AIS, these requirements do not extend to ocean-going freighters under 300 gross tons and coastal vessels below 500 gross tons, showcasing the growing need for enhanced surveillance solutions in these categories.