Tokyo: NYK's 60,213gt solar-power-assisted car carrier vessel Auriga Leader arrived at Long Beach port in California for the first time on July 1. The vessel, which is capable of transporting 6,200 cars, was jointly developed by NYK and Nippon Oil Corporation and its construction completed on December 19, 2008. This is the first call for Auriga Leader to visit the port, and it was welcomed by Long Beach port authority members and related parties.
Richard Steinke, Port of Long Beach executive-director said, "The Auriga Leader is a perfect example of how the maritime industry is voluntarily finding new and innovative ways to be responsible stewards of the environment."
Auriga Leader is presently involved in experiments to verify that its solar electric power supply can be maintained in the harsh conditions of actual navigation. After approximately two years of examination, NYK plans to apply a full-fledged, practical-use solar-power-assisted vessel, based on the results of the experiments.
NYK has confirmed that it will proactively take initiatives for environmental issues through further technological innovation. [30/07/09]
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