11,687 GT Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ship Runs Aground Near Tokyo’s Izu Islands

A Japanese cargo ferry carrying vehicles and other goods remains stranded off Toshima Island in the Izu archipelago after running aground during a voyage from Osaka to Tokyo.

The Niraikanai II, an 11,687-ton roll-on/roll-off cargo ship operated by Ryukyu Kaiun Kaisha, ran aground at around 3:30 a.m. local time on June 19 while sailing south of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

The vessel was headed to Tokyo from Osaka when it hit a rocky area on the western side of Toshima Island, a small volcanic island in the Izu chain.

There were 17 crew members on board. No injuries were reported.

Authorities said there was no immediate sign of flooding or oil leakage. The Shimoda Coast Guard Office also confirmed no fuel spill had been detected.

The crew sent an emergency message reporting the grounding. The Japan Coast Guard sent a patrol vessel to the site and began an investigation into what caused the incident.

The ship remains stuck after early efforts to refloat it failed. Ryukyu Kaiun Kaisha is now preparing diver inspections and salvage work, but it is not yet clear when the vessel will be able to continue its voyage.

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The grounding has already led to service cancellations. The company suspended its June 19 Tokyo-Osaka and Tokyo-Naha sailings, as well as the June 20 Osaka-Naha sailing.

Additional cancellations were also made for Wakanatsu trial services on June 26 and June 29 via Hitachinaka.

On June 19, the Japan Coast Guard’s 3rd Regional Headquarters issued a navigation warning, marking the vessel’s position near Toshima Island and urging ships in the area to proceed carefully.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the grounding. Weather conditions at the time were relatively calm, with about 50 cm waves and southeast winds of around 6 metres per second (21.6 kph), according to the Shimoda Coast Guard Office.

The vessel is 181 metres long and was built in 2017. It operates on domestic routes linking Okinawa, Osaka and Tokyo, mainly carrying vehicles, trailers and other rolling cargo.

Investigators are expected to review navigation data, bridge operations and voyage records as part of the inquiry. Salvage teams will assess the ship’s condition before any refloating attempt is made.

The Niraikanai II remains grounded off Toshima Island, with its return to service still uncertain.

References: Japan News, Port News