HAMANASU is a sister ship of KEYAKI, which is set to enter service between Otaru, Hokkaido, and Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture (1,061 km) on 14 November 2025. Currently, KEYAKI is also being built at the same MHI Shimonoseki Shipyard.

HAMANASU has a Japanese gross tonnage of about 14,300 and is 199.0 m long. She is equipped with four main engines (8,540 kW × 4) and can carry up to 286 passengers, about 150 trucks, and about 30 cars at a service speed of 28.3 knots.

HAMANASU will enter service on the same Otaru–Maizuru route in June 2026. The existing HAMANASU and AKASHIA (16,897 gt, built in 2004) will be replaced.

HAMANASU incorporates a buttock-flow stern hull and a ducktail, along with a KATANA BOW. Propulsion resistance is reduced by an energy-saving roll-damping system combining an anti-rolling tank and fin stabilizers, providing energy savings of about 5% compared to conventional ships.

© Shippax