NYK Olympus
Introduction
During this time of devastation in Japan, let us pay homage to one of their creations, NYK Olympus. We had the privilege to get up close and personal with her on a recent visit to Singapore. While certainly nowhere near the largest containership navigating the high seas, NYK Olympus makes a very impressive sight at sea level. Join us as we present a photo essay on this impressive ship.
History
Part of the mammoth Mitsubishi group of companies, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line is the operator of NYK Olympus. NYK Line is one of the most distinguished Japanese shipping companies and can trace their roots back to 1870. NYK operates over 700 ships across several sectors including; container ships, bulkers, tankers, LNG, refer, vehicle carriers, ferries and cruise ships.
While researching this article, we came across some interesting connections back to the Mitsubishi Keiretsu. We use Nikon camera equipment which happens to be part of Mitsubishi. One of our favorite beer brands, San Miguel, is owned by the Kirin Brewery Company which is also part of…you guessed it, Mitsubishi. Considering that a Keiretsu by definition is a group of companies with an interlocking set of business relationships, we wonder how many containers aboard NYK Olympus are full of Nikon and San Miguel goods.
Design
NYK Olympus was built in 2007 by IHI (Ishikawajima Heavy Industries) Marine in Kure, Japan near Hiroshima. She has a length of 336 meters and a width of 46 meters with a dead weight of 98,799 tons. Even though NYK Olympus is only powered by one Sulzer 12 cylinder diesel engine, she can easily make over 24 knots.
She is designed to take a maximum of 8,268 twenty foot containers including 800 electrical slots for refrigerated containers containing perishable items. In reality, due to weight restrictions, she would probably carry less than 4,000 forty foot containers on a standard voyage.
Statistics
| Name(s): | NYK Olympus | | | | |
| IMO: | 9312987 | | | | |
| Call Sign: | 3EOS7 | | | | |
| Builder: | IHI Marine United, Kure (Japan) | | |
| Yard Number: | 3227 | | | | |
| Delivery: | 30-Jan-2008 | | | | |
| Gross Tonnage: | 98,799 | | | | |
| Length: | 336.0 | m | 1102.4 | ft | | |
| Beam: | 45.8 | m | 150.3 | ft | | |
| Draft: | 14.0 | m | 45.9 | ft | | |
| TEU: | 8,628 | FEU: | 4,198 | Reefer: | 800 | |
| Crew Min: | 13 | | | |
| Engine: | Sulzer (Diesel Untied) 1 x 12RT-flex96C diesel producing a total of 65,210 kW (87,450 hp) |
| Propulsion: | 1 x propeller | | |
| Thrusters: | 1 x bow thruster | | |
| Speed: | Max | 24.5 kts | | | | |
| Owner: | Olympus Shipping SA (Cyprus) | | |
Future and our prediction:
NYK Olympus was a large containership when she was built in 2007. Just 4 short years later she is now considered mid-size when compared to the planned goliath Maersk Triple-E class ships. Then again, all container ships will be dwarfed by the new Maersk ships including the previously awe inspiring, Emma Maersk.
As a diversified shipping giant that maximizing its links to the Mitsubishi group of companies, NYK will be in business for the next 100 years. Somebody has to transport all those cameras and beer!
We have found 2 significant ways to support Japan relief efforts. First, for the next 30 days, we are making a concerted effort to buy Japanese whenever possible. Purchases of Japanese beer, food, clothing and electronics will spur demand and help create jobs and start the healing process for their industries. Second, to support those afflicted by the Tsunami, we use ammado to make donations to the Japanese Red Cross. Perhaps you can take these 2 examples and consider ways you can support Japan as well.