Research Vessels
Our Research Fleet
Deep-sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu
- Main objective
- Deepwater seafloor drilling
- Built
- 2005
- Length
- 210.0 m
- Beam
- 38.0 m
- Depth
- 16.2 m
- Draft
- 9.2 m
- Gross tonnage
- 56,752 tons
- Cruising speed
- 8 knots
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 200 (50)
- Propulsion System
- Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 6 x Azimuth Thrusters
Research Vessel Kaimei
- Main objective
- Subseafloor surveys
- Built
- 2016
- Length
- 100.5 m
- Beam
- 20.5 m
- Depth
- 9.0 m
- Draft
- 6.3 m
- Gross tonnage
- 5,747 tons
- Cruising speed
- 12 knots
- 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
- 105.2 m
- Beam
- 16.0 m
- Depth
- 7.3 m
- Draft
- 4.7 m
- Gross tonnage
- 4,439 tons
- Cruising speed
- 12 knots
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 60 (15)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Oceanographic Research Vessel Mirai
- Main objective
- Researching marine environment changes in the open ocean.
- Built
- 1997
- Length
- 128.5 m
- Beam
- 19.0 m
- Depth
- 10.5 m
- Draft
- 6.9 m
- Gross tonnage
- 8,706 tons
- Cruising speed
- 11.5 knots
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 80 (46)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Research Vessel Hakuho Maru
- Main objective
- Oceanographic surveys
- Built
- 1989
- Length
- 100.0 m
- Beam
- 16.2 m
- Depth
- 8.9 m
- Draft
- 6.3 m
- Gross tonnage
- 4,073 tons
- Cruising speed
- 12 knots (Maximum speed 16 knots)
- Accommodation (for researchers)
- 89 (35)
- Propulsion System
- Diesel/Electric
- Propulsion Device
- 2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors
Research Vessel Shinsei Maru
- Main objective
- Basic research on marine life, geophysics/geochemistry, earthquakes, etc.
- Built
- 2013
- Length
- 66.0 m
- Beam
- 13.0 m
- Depth
- 6.2 m
- Draft
- 4.5 m (5.0 m including sonar dome)
- Gross tonnage
- 1,635 tons
- Cruising speed
- 10.5 knots
- 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 (Retired)
- 1997 (Retired in Feb 2022)
- Length
- 106.0 m
- Beam
- 16.0 m
- Depth
- 7.3 m
- Draft
- 4.7 m
- Gross tonnage
- 4,517 tons
- Cruising speed
- 12 knots
- 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
- 67.3 m
- Beam
- 13.0 m
- Depth
- 6.3 m
- Draft
- 3.7 m
- Gross tonnage
- 1,739 tons
- Cruising speed
- 10.5 knots
- 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
- 61.5 m
- Beam
- 28.0 m
- Depth
- 10.6 m
- Draft
- 6.3 m
- Gross tonnage
- 5,747 tons
- Cruising speed
- 10.5 knots
- 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
- 51.0 m
- Beam
- 9.2 m
- Depth
- 4.2 m
- Draft
- 5.0 m
- Gross tonnage
- 610 tons
- Cruising speed
- 11.5 knots
- 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
