Research Vessels
Our Research Fleet
Deep-sea Drilling Vessel Chikyu
- Main objective
- Deepwater seafloor drilling
- Built
- 2005
- Length x Beam (m)
- 210×38
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 56,752
- Draft (m)
- 9.2
- Speed (kn)
- 12
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 200 (50)
- Propulsion System
- Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 6 x Azimuth Thrusters
Research Vessel Kaimei
- Main objective
- Subseafloor surveys
- Built
- 2016
- Length x Beam (m)
- 100.5×20.5
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 5,747
- Draft (m)
- 6.3
- Speed (kn)
- 12
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 65（38）
- Propulsion System
- Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Azimuth Thrusters
Support Vessel Yokosuka
- Main objective
- Deep-sea surveys
- Built
- 1990
- Length x Beam (m)
- 105.2×16
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 4,439
- Draft (m)
- 4.7
- Speed (kn)
- 16
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 60 (15)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Oceanographic Research Vessel Mirai
- Main objective
- Atmospheric & Oceanographic survey
- Built
- 1997
- Length x Beam (m)
- 128.5×19
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 8,706
- Draft (m)
- 6.9
- Speed (kn)
- 16
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 80 (46)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel/Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Research Vessel Hakuho Maru
- Main objective
- Oceanographic surveys
- Built
- 1989
- Length x Beam (m)
- 100×16
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 4,073
- Draft (m)
- 6.3
- Speed (kn)
- 16
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 89 (35)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel/Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Research Vessel Shinsei Maru
- Main objective
- Research on the impact of the Tohoku-Oki Great Earthquake on marine ecosystems and their recovery
- Built
- 2013
- Length x Beam (m)
- 66×13
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 1,635
- Draft (m)
- 5.0
- Speed (kn)
- 12
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 41 (15)
- Propulsion System
- Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Azimuth Thrusters
Retired Vessels
Deep Sea Research Vessel Kairei
- Main objective
- Ultra-deep-sea surveys
- Built
- 1997
- Length x Beam (m)
- 106×16
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 4,517
- Draft (m)
- 4.7
- Speed (kn)
- 16
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 60 (22)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Research Vessel Natsushima
- Main objective
- Support submersible operations
- Built (Retired)
- 1981 (Retired in Feb 2016)
- Length x Beam (m)
- 67.3×13
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 1,739
- Draft (m)
- 5.0
- Speed (kn)
- 11
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 55 (18)
- Standard Equipment
- SCS, Sonic exploration device, Piston corer, Dredge
- Special feature
- SHINKAI 2000,
HYPER-DOLPHIN
Research Vessel Kaiyo
- Main objective
- Underwater experiments
- Built (Retired)
- 1985 (Retired in Feb 2016)
- Length x Beam (m)
- 61.5×28
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 5,747
- Draft (m)
- 6.3
- Speed (kn)
- 13
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 60 (31)
- Standard Equipment
- Automatic ship position maintenance device, Ocean bottom seismometer refraction method system
- Special feature
- New Seatopia Project
Research Vessel Tansei Maru
- Main objective
- Observation and research
- Built (Retired)
- 1982 (Retired in Jan 2013)
- Length x Beam (m)
- 51×9.2
- Gross tonnage (ton)
- 610
- Draft (m)
- 5.0
- Speed (kn)
- 12
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 38 (15)
- Standard Equipment
- PDR, Fish finder, Scanning sonar, Marine meteorological observation equipment, CTD, Airgun compressor, Self-recording water temperature recorder, Pure water production equipment, Water sampler, mud sampler, plankton nets
- Special feature
- National cooperative research cruises
