The use of an energy-saving air-lubrication system on NYK vessels has earned the group the Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Award, one of the highest honours in the eco-services category of the 2013 Eco-Products Awards in Tokyo, according to the Shipping Gazette.
The accolade was also jointly presented to NYK group member Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) and Oshima Shipbuilding Co Ltd.
The awards ceremony was attended by NYK managing corporate officer, Yasuo Tanaka; director and general manager of the Design Department at Oshima Shipbuilding, Iwashita Tatsurou; and president of MTI, Makoto Igarashi.
A statement from the group said the award winning air-lubrication system "effectively reduces CO2 emissions by use of bubbles generated by air released from the bottom of the vessel to lessen the frictional resistance between a vessel's bottom and the seawater."
The NYK Group said it has become a "tireless promoter of the development of innovative technologies and devices to improve vessel operation" and reduce the negative impact of shipping on the environment. Equipping vessels with air-lubrication systems has been highly commended both in Japan and abroad as an approach leading to the prevention of global warming.
NYK's air-lubrication system has also received a number of other accolades, including the highest award at the 2013 Nikkei Global Environmental Technology Awards, the 2013 Ship of the Year Award by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers, and the 2013 Award for excellence at the 40th Environmental Awards sponsored by the Hitachi Environment Foundation and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd.
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