Japanese vehicle carrier Mv. “Northern Highway” calls at Colombo Dockyard

Sugahara Kisen’s vehicle carrier Mv. “Northern Highway” spanning 188m x 28m recently made its debut call at the Colombo Dockyard.

The 13-year-old, Japanese built, well maintained beauty dry-docked at Colombo for her intermediate survey.

Colombo Dockyard has been serving the Vehicle carrier fleets from NYK, Wallem, Wilhelmsen over the past few decades. This Japanese Vehicle carrier call reactivated the service options to the growing market segment.

The vessel is owned by Sugahara Kisen Co. Ltd., Japan (Estb 1963) and operated by K Line Ltd. Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd, Japan, the parent company of Colombo Dockyard recommended the dry-docking facility at the centre of Indian ocean to the owners.

The company’s line of business includes the transportation of freight on all inland waterways. They are covering a huge spectrum in logistics and transportation in Japan having operating Bulk, Vehicle, LPG, Cement, Container Carriers and Refrigerated Cargo Carriers which are operating mostly on regular charters.

She was docked in Dock 04 where the Shipyard carried out general dry-docking repairs including wire renewal of ramp ways complying to DNV requirements. The project team was headed by ship Manager C.M. Kapurubandara and Senior Invoicing Engineer W.G.A.R. Sameera under the guidance of Onomichi Dockyard Residence Director Atsushi Horibe where the owner’s interest was looked after by Capt. Kenichi Kawakubo and Toshinari Yamagata from the Shipping Department of Sugahara Kisen Co. Ltd.

The decision makers were very satisfied with their decision to come to Colombo and the job done at Colombo Dockyard. The project was completed well ahead to the quoted duration which was highly appreciated by the vessel operator K line Ltd.

Colombo Dockyard proved the potential of being the preferred repair partner for Japanese fleets in the middle of Indian Ocean for their planned dry-docking repairs as well as emergency afloat repairs. Colombo Dockyard has also become the preferred repair destination for the fleet vehicle carriers calling at the Hambantota International Port (HIPG) located just 150 NM away from Colombo.