Shin Nihonkai Ferry officially announced that its new vessel Hamanasu will enter service on 1 September following a postponement. Operating on the 1,061 km Maizuru–Otaru route, it is scheduled to be the second vessel on the route and replace an existing vessel.
Shin Nihonkai Ferry announced on 24 August 2026 that its new vessel Hamanasu will enter service on 1 September. The service commencement date was substantially delayed from the original plan of 29 June, postponing the vessel’s debut, but was formally confirmed following its handover at the Eura Plant of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Shimonoseki Shipyard.
Hamanasu has a gross tonnage of 14,300 tonnes, a length of 199 m, a beam of 25.5 m and a service speed of 28.3 knots (approximately 52.4 km/h). It can carry approximately 150 trucks and 30 passenger vehicles. The vessel will operate as a replacement for the existing Akashia.
As an environmental initiative, perovskite solar cells are scheduled to be installed on a trial basis. On board, Wi-Fi using Starlink will be available in all passenger cabins, and entertainment facilities using projection mapping are also expected to be introduced.
An onboard tour is scheduled to be held at the Tenpozan Pier in Osaka Port on 30 August. The vessel will enter service as the Otaru-to-Maizuru sailing departing at 23:30 on 1 September.
The new vessel is the second in the series after the existing Keyaki, which entered service in 2025, and is expected to be handed over from the Eura Plant on 27 August.