NYK took delivery of a new pure car carrier, Aries Leader, built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd at its Onishi Shipyard. The vessel is the very first post-Panamax car carrier in Japan.

In addition to increased capacity (7,000 units), the new carrier incorporates the latest energy-saving technology such as an air-lubrication system and a hybrid turbocharger”both of which have been installed on a car carrier for the first time”besides an electronically controlled engine and the use of water-emulsified fuel in the boiler.

As a result, one can expect a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit compared to existing large pure car carriers. The hulls of NYK's pure car carriers have traditionally been painted aurora blue, but this ship has been painted green to signify its status clearly as an environmental flagship.

The NYK Group will continue to promote creative solutions based on the company's medium-term management plan "More Than Shipping 2018," and will strive for greater global environmental protection by making efforts for further development of and new advances in innovative environmental technology for stable car transport, it said in a statement.