On the afternoon of 17 September, the eighth new-generation 82500 DWT eco-friendly bulk carrier “FIRST SHIRAZ”built by YAMIC for Japanese shipowner departed from the shipyard wharf and started her maiden voyage.

The “FIRST SHIRAZ” has an overall length of 229.00m, a moulded breadth of 32.26m, a moulded depth of 20.15m and a scantling draft of 14.55m, and was constructed in accordance with the rules and regulations of NK. The construction period of this vessel was approximately 10 months. Steel cutting for the vessel commenced on 26November 2025 and successfully completed her sea trial on 1September 2026, with all performance indicators better than the design standards.

On the morning of 17 September, YAMIC held a grand naming ceremony for the series vessels, the “FIRST SHIRAZ” and the “FIRST MERLOT”.The ship’s godfather, Mr. Ken Shimizu, Managing Executive Director of Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and, Mrs. Aoi Ikegaki, the ship’s naming sponsor, Mr. Motohiro Utsumi, Executive Director of Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha, Mr. Akihiko Abe, Director of Nissen Kaiun Co.,Ltd., Mr. Kosei Abe of the Operation Dept. of Nissen Kaiun Co.,Ltd., Mr. Naoya Sumida, General Manager of the Mobility Department Mitsui & Co. (Shanghai) Ltd., Mr. Masakatsu Tsuru, Vice President of ClassNK(China), Mr. Song Shuming, Deputy General Manager of YZJ Group and CEO of YAMIC, as well as representatives from all cooperation parties and employees, attended the naming ceremony.

At the ceremony, Mr. Ken Shimizu, the godfather, and Mrs. Aoi Ikegaki, the naming sponsor christened the two vessels and performed the ribbon-cutting and tossed the champagne. Wish the new vessel safe voyages and smooth operations, bringing good luck, creating wealth to the buyers, earning honor for NK and YAMIC.

At 9:00 a.m. on 17September, both parties signed the delivery documents for the “FIRST SHIRAZ”.