日本郵船、日本最大の客船新造へ　２５年就航、コロナ後にらむ

　日本郵船のグループ会社、郵船クルーズ（横浜市）は３１日、日本船籍として最大規模となる豪華客船を新造すると発表した。ドイツの企業と造船契約を結んだ。就航は２０２５年の予定。新型コロナウイルス流行の影響で足元の事業環境は厳しいが、感染収束後の需要拡大をにらみ、建造に踏み切る。
　総トン数は５万１９５０トンで、郵船クルーズが運航する「飛鳥II」の５万４４４トンから大型化する。一方、乗客定員は約７４０人（飛鳥IIは８７２人）に絞ることでゆとりを持たせ、乗客へのサービスを手厚くする。展望露天風呂のほか、全ての客室にバルコニーを設ける計画だ。（2021/03/31-20:24）

Japan's NYK Cruises Co. said Wednesday that it will introduce one of the largest Japanese-registered cruise ships, anticipating a rise in demand after the novel coronavirus pandemic subsides.
   NYK Cruises, an affiliate of major Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen K.K. , has signed a contract with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for the construction of the luxury cruise ship, which is slated to go into service in 2025.
   NYK Cruises, based in Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, decided the project despite currently being in a tough business environment due to the virus crisis, as it expects demand for cruise ship travel to grow once the pandemic is brought under control.
   The new ship will weigh 51,950 gross tons, heavier than the existing 50,444-ton Asuka II cruise ship, operated by the firm. It will be able to carry up to about 740 passengers, fewer than the Asuka II's capacity of 872 passengers, so that it can provide greater hospitality to guests.
   The new cruise ship, whose name has yet to be decided, will have open-air baths. All of its guest rooms will have balconies.