Asuka III, Japan’s ‘biggest’ cruise ship ever, edges toward delivery

The ‘first’ passenger ship in 30 years to be constructed under the supervision of the Japanese flag and ‘the largest’ Japanese-flagged cruise ship ever made, the Asuka III, is nearing delivery as it gears up for river conveyance.

Asuka III was constructed by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for NYK Cruises, a subsidiary of Japan’s shipping titan Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line).

The vessel is expected to make its way out of the dockyard in Papenburg, in northwestern Germany and be conveyed to the Dutch Port of Eemshaven on the Ems River on March 2, 2025.

The Ems conveyance is a “delicate” voyage of around 32 kilometers along the narrow and shallow Ems River, entailing the transfer of the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ship from Papenburg upstream to the open seas.

According to Meyer Werft, the 52,200 GT newbuild will travel backward on Ems River toward the North Sea with the support of two tugs – a type of transfer said to feature ‘better maneuverability.’

Once Asuka III arrives at its destination, technical and nautical trials are planned to be performed, after which the 230-meter-long newbuilding will set out for its final outfitting in the city of Emden, in northwestern Germany. As informed, the vessel is slated for a handover in the spring of 2025.

Owing to the fact that it will run on liquefied natural gas, Meyer Werft and NYK Line project that the unit could accomplish ‘tremendous’ reductions in particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

NYK booked the ship back in March 2021 when it was revealed that the German shipbuilding player would use a range of customized solutions for the unit, including hydrodynamics optimized according to the planned routes and contactless controls.

Construction began in September 2023 and lasted until January 2025 when, on the 18th of the month, the cruise vessel was floated out of the covered building dock. Asuka III is slated to join its sister ship, the 241-meter-long Asuka II which was—before now—its owner’s only unit.