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NYK and two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Monohakobi Technology Institute and NYK Business Systems Co. Ltd., have agreed to team with Weathernews Inc. and Kozo Keikaku Engineering Inc. to establish a new company, Symphony Creative Solutions Pte. Ltd. (SCS) in Singapore. SCS is being created to develop and market next-generation solutions in the shipping and logistics fields by expanding on the scope of the Symphony Project, a jointly developed effort formed in July 2014 to promote solution services centering on the auto logistics business in Asia. Considering the rapid evolution of technology, specifically with the Internet of Things (IoT), and aiming to design further innovative solutions that meet advancing on-site needs in logistics, the five companies have agreed to establish SCS to further the development of the Symphony Project.
The new company will fuse the NYK Group???s knowledge, on-site capabilities, and the global network accumulated in the shipping and logistics businesses with Weathernews??? innovative infrastructure network and weather forecast technology, along with Kozo Keikaku Engineering???s cutting-edge simulations created through advanced operations research techniques and data-analysis technology. In the area of solutions development, a ???lean startup methodology??? which is based on an entrepreneurial business work-style often undertaken in Silicon Valley, will be thoroughly employed. The SCS head office will be located at Block 71, Singapore, known as a hub for IT venture companies in Asia.
This joint development project was selected by NYK???s Creative Solutions Development Fund* during the fund???s first call for applications. The NYK Group continually promotes creative solutions, as upheld in its medium-term management plan ???More Than Shipping 2018,??? and aims to create new value in the supply chain by providing innovative next-generation services that support customers??? needs in logistics.
* Creative Solutions Development Fund
This fund was set up in 2014 to advance further Group-wide advancement of the medium-term management plan ???More Than Shipping 2018.??? The fund aims to discover and foster creative solutions among Group companies as sources of differentiation and strives to support commercialization of creative ideas. The fund???s first call for applications in 2014 resulted in 52 submissions from NYK Group companies. The secretariat of the fund is working with applicants to prepare for commercialization of approximately 10% of the submissions. The 2015 call for applications has been completed.
Outline of SCS joint development companies
About Weathernews Inc.
Established: June 11, 1986
Head Office: 1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba
Representative: Chihiro Kusabiraki
Description of business:
For corporations and public entities: Countermeasures (solutions) based on weather forecasts
For individuals: Weather information delivered through smartphone applications and the Internet
About Kozo Keikaku Engineering Inc.
Established: May 6, 1959
Head Office: 4-38-13 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shota Hattori
Description of business: Consultation on quake-proofing and environment evaluation; structural design support systems; business and design support systems for manufacturers; marketing consultation; engineering consultation such as optimization and logistics systems; product services such as construction-related structural analysis and quake-proofing examination software, radio-wave propagation and electromagnetic wave analysis software, CAE software for manufacturing designers, and statistical analysis and image recognition software
About Monohakobi Technology Institute
Established: April 1, 2004
Head Office: 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Makoto Igarashi
Description of business: R&D for environmental conservation and energy-saving technology for vessels, R&D for ship operation technologies, consultation on transport quality, R&D and consultation for logistics technology solutions
About NYK Business Systems Co., Ltd.
Established: April 1, 1988
Head Office: 1-17-21 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Tetsuji Madarame
Description of business: Knowledge and database services for computer and communication use; global transport and storage of goods; entrusted survey and research including logistics; planning, development, and operation of computer systems
Related press release:
NYK Group Companies Team with Others to Develop Next-Generation Auto Logistics Solutions, http://www.nyk.com/english/release/3132/003356.html
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On February 28, Ocean Creation, a bulk carrier operated by NYK, rescued one fisherman in distress off the coast of the Philippines.
While the NYK vessel was sailing off the coast of the Philippines on February 28, the ship???s crew discovered a fishing boat on the verge of sinking and immediately rescued one fisherman. The man had no injuries and was handed over to the coast guard on the same day.
About Ocean Creation
Captain: Acma, Phenix Piojo
Flag: Panama
Crew: 20 seafarers (Filipino)
Gross Tonnage: 106,367 tons
Type of Vessel: Bulk carrier
Owner: Asian Cruiser S.A.
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On March 11, Japan???s Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a report to the nation???s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology recommending that the moored museum ship Hikawa Maru be designated as an Important Cultural Property. Hikawa Maru will be the first transoceanic liner to receive this designation.
In the report, Hikawa Maru was highly evaluated for the following points:
- The role the ship has played in Japan???s society and economy
Cargo-passenger ships were the primary means of international transport for the first half of the 20th century, and during those years Hikawa Maru provided a service between Japan and Seattle, the main route of that time. In World War II, the ship served as a hospital ship, and after the war concluded Hikawa Maru was used to transport demobilized soldiers and repatriated citizens.
- The value of the ship to shipbuilding and industrial art
When the ship was completed in 1930, its very large diesel engine was the most advanced of its time. In addition, the ship???s beautifully designed interior was the first import of Art Deco architecture to Japan.
On April 23, an event to celebrate the ship???s 86th ???birthday??? is scheduled to take place on board. Admission will be free in commemoration of the ship???s upcoming designation as an Important Cultural Property. For detailed information, please visit the ship???s website. (http://www.nyk.com/rekishi/e/)
NYK will continue its efforts to stimulate interest in the maritime industry and its ships by providing current and future generations with a link to Japan???s maritime history.
Hikawa Maru history
1930 Completed and set out on maiden voyage
1941 Japan-Seattle line suspended; requisitioned by the navy and refitted to be a hospital ship
1945 Started being used to transport demobilized soldiers
1947 Launched regular service in Japan
1949 Resumed non-regular overseas voyages
1951 Assigned to Japan-New York line
1952 Assigned to European line
1953 Returned to Japan-Seattle line
1960 Set out on final voyage
1961 Moored at Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Japan
2003 Named as a Tangible Cultural Property of the city of Yokohama
2008 Reopened as NYK Hikawamaru
2015 Welcomed two millionth visitor
Hikawa Maru principal particulars
Type: Cargo-passenger liner
Built by: Yokohama Dock Company Ltd.
Completed: April 25, 1930
Overall length: 163.30 m
Width: 20.12 m
Gross tonnage: 11,622 tons
Max. speed: 18.38 knots
Engine: B&W double-acting four-cycle diesel; two engines and two propellers
