Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Delivers Revolutionary Car Ferry KEYAKI to Shin Nihonkai Ferry and Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency
Press Information
2025-11-14
Tokyo, November 14, 2025 - Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), unveiled the groundbreaking KEYAKI car ferry, produced for Shin Nihonkai Ferry and the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), at the Enoura Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture on November 11. The ferry will commence operations on the Otaru-Maizuru route in Hokkaido and Kyoto Prefecture on November 14.
The KEYAKI is a game-changer in the maritime industry, boasting the first-ever energy-efficient hull design in Japan, featuring a KATANA BOW and duck-tail-like stern. This innovative design, coupled with an energy-saving roll-damping system, reduces propulsion resistance and achieves a remarkable 5% energy savings compared to previous vessels.
Step aboard the KEYAKI and experience a whole new level of comfort and convenience. The interior boasts open spaces, including a stunning three-story atrium at the entrance, elevators with transparent walls and doors, and a forward salon with a breathtaking two-story atrium. The top deck offers an open-air bath, and a multipurpose room caters to various activities. A range of cabins ensures a personalized and enjoyable journey for all.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is committed to driving the active use of sea transport and environmental sustainability. By constructing ferries like the KEYAKI, they aim to address diverse challenges in collaboration with their partners, ensuring stable sea transport and exceptional energy and environmental performance.
Technical Details:
- Ship Type: Passenger-carrying car ferry
- Length Overall (LOA): 199 meters
- Beam: 25.5 meters
- Gross Tonnage: 14,157 tons
- Service Speed: 28.3 knots
- Passenger Capacity: 286
- Truck Capacity: Approximately 150 trucks
- Car Capacity: 30 passenger cars
About MHI Group:
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is a global leader in industrial innovation, spanning energy, infrastructure, machinery, aerospace, and defense. MHI combines cutting-edge technology with decades of expertise to create integrated solutions that drive a carbon-neutral future, enhance quality of life, and ensure a safer world. For more information, visit www.mhi.com or explore their insights on spectra.mhi.com.
