Nisshin Maru

Nisshin Maru
History
Japan
NameNisshin Maru (Previously Chikuzen Maru)
OwnerKyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd
Port of registryJapan
BuilderHitachi Zosen Corporation Innoshima Works
LaunchedAugust 30, 1987
Decommissioned2020
In serviceDecommissioned
Out of service2020
HomeportShimonoseki Harbor, Tokyo, Japan
Identification
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
TypeWhaling factory ship
Tonnage8,145 gross tonnage (GT)
Length129.58 m (425 ft 2 in) o/a
Beam19.4 m (63 ft 8 in) (moulded)
Draft11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)
Propulsion5,383 kw (7315 bhp)
Speed
  • Max: 16 knots (29.6 km/h)
  • Cruise: 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h)

Nisshin Maru (日新丸) was the primary vessel of the Japanese whaling fleet and was the world's only whaler factory ship. It was the research base ship for the Institute of Cetacean Research for 2002 to 2007. It had a tonnage of 8,145 GT and is the largest member and flagship of the five-ship whaling fleet, headed by leader Shigetoshi Nishiwaki. The ship was based in Japan in Shimonoseki harbor and was owned by Tokyo-based Kyodo Senpaku, which is a subsidiary of the Institute of Cetacean Research.