Ginga Maru was built as a substitute ship “the third Ginga Maru” in June 2004, and came into commission in order to take the place of the second Ginga Maru built in December 1972.
Purposes of the building were to provide the sea training to the students of Faculty of Marine Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Kobe University, National Colleges of Maritime Technology and Maritime Education Agency, and to conduct a research on ship’s operation technologies.
Basic concepts regarding the construction of the Ginga Maru were as follows.
- The construction thought of the training ship was greatly reflected and further improvement as the training ship was secured, arranging classroom in tiers and gymnasium adopted on Seiun Maru. In addition, stronger hull structure was also taken into consideration to endure years of operation.
- Attractive elements of the hull were greatly taken into consideration in order to fulfill diplomatic missions and to enable to disseminate a maritime consciousness, having not only functional capabilities but also a fine view and a dignity as the training ship.
- All equipment and facilities were rather easy to handle and an effective training to each cadet would be available. In addition, a realistic training could be secured by installing equipment generally used in merchant vessels.
- In consideration of many people who came on board, a safe structure of the hull and the facilities were especially contemplated.
- The facilities which enabled sufficient research activities were arranged./
With regard specification, it was made responding to needs as a training ship from the Japanese shipping industries and other factors were considered as follows. - In consideration of advancement of Integrated Transport System at sea, educational environment necessary to bring up the seafarers who support the system would be arranged.
- Attention to environment would be paid, adopting a low-pollution engine, ship's-bottom paint containing little toxic chemicals, effective treatment of waste generated and others.
- Integrated Bridge System, simulators, a joystick navigation unit, a high lift rudder and others were introduced in order to secure a safe and effective navigation. In addition, equipment meets the amendment of SOLAS Chapter 5 would be mounted.
- A barrier-free system would be partly adopted in the facilities and inside the ship in order to respond to an observation tour of physically handicapped and elderly persons at the time of an open house.
- Information onboard would be effectively utilized, adopting the most advanced information processing system.
| Hull and Engines | |
|---|---|
| Register | Tokyo |
| Kind of ship | Diesel Engine ship |
| Shipyard | Mitsui Engineering & Shipping Co.,Ltd.,Chiba Works |
| Date of Built | June 15, 2004 |
| Code of Signals | JFFP |
| Loa * Breadth * Depth | 116.40 m * 18.00 m * 10.50 m |
| Gross Tonnage | 6,185 ton |
| Main Engine and powers | Diesel engine (1 sets) 9,000 PS (6,600 KW) |
| Fuel Oil(100%) | 1,698.51 m3 |
| Fresh Water | 833 m3 |
| Maximum / Sea speed | 20.50 kn / 18.65 kn |
| Range | 11,000 miles (20,372 Km) |
| Complement | 246 persons |
