A new Japanese ferry for the Otaru-Niigata route

Shin Nihonkai Ferry finally gave more information about their new ferry on 26 July. According to the press release, Shin Nihonkai Ferry will launch a new ferry on the Otaru-Niigata route in March 2017.

Unnamed car ferry
GT: about 14,400
LOA: 197.5m
Beam 26.6m
Passengers: 600
Truck (12m): 150
Car: 22
Main Engines: 11,000kW×2

The new ferry is being built at MHI Shimonoseki shipyard, and due to take the water on 6 September.

Currently, Shin Nihonkai Ferry operates
• Two ferries (LILAC & YUUKARI) on the Otaru-Niigata route.
• Two ferries (FERRY AZALEA & FERRY SHIRAKABA) on the Tomakomai-Akita-Niigata-Tsuruga route.
• Two ferries on the Tomakomai-Tsuruga route.
• Two ferries on the Otaru-Maizuru route.

The FERRY AZALEA & THE FERRY SHIRAKABA are old, and expected to be replaced. Meanwhile, there are some rumors that Shin Nihonkai may decrease ferries on the Tomakomai-Akita-Niigata-Tsuruga route or the Otaru-Niigata route.