Japanese shipping company Imoto Lines has taken delivery of the new 540 TEU coastal feeder vessel Natori with its innovative if not somewhat odd-looking forward bridge.
The design semi-spherical bow design is proprietary to Japan’s Kyokuyo Shipyard and was developed to help reduce wind resistance.
You may recognize the design because it has also been used on two car carriers, the City of St Petersburg and City of Rotterdam, but the Natori marks the first time it has been used on a containership. In the case of the two car carriers, the design has been said to cut wind resistance by as much as 50% compared to traditional vessels, adding to fuel savings and lowering emissions.
Above photos courtesy Imoto Lines
As you may recall, the City Rotterdam was actually damaged in a collision earlier this month after colliding with a ferry in England.
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