NYK & Oono Development Partner To Commercialize Ship Recycling In Japan

NYK and Oono Development Plan to Study Ship Recycling in Japan

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Oono Development Co., Ltd. have decided to work together to explore the idea of ship recycling. This means they will study how to break down large ships and offshore structures in Japan and recycle them into steel scrap and other materials. The companies signed an agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding (MoU), on September 18 at NYK’s headquarters in Tokyo.

The ceremony was attended by important figures, including NYK Chairman Hitoshi Nagasawa and Oono Development Chairman Teruo Ohno. The work will take place in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, where Oono Development owns Japan’s only dry dock capable of handling large ships.

Unique Ship Dismantling Method

Oono Development plans to use its unique, state-of-the-art methods for dismantling ships. These methods will focus on safely handling waste, protecting the environment, and recycling steel in a sustainable way. This process aims to help reduce carbon emissions and make better use of valuable steel resources.

Ship Recycling Needs to Pick Up for Shipping to Lower Emissions

Decarbonization Efforts

As the world works to reduce carbon emissions, industries are looking for cleaner, greener ways to operate. The steel industry, for example, is moving toward using electric furnaces and more recycled steel. Scrap metal that is free of impurities is now more important than ever because it can be turned into high-quality steel.

Ships are made mostly of steel, and more than 90% of their materials are reused for construction, manufacturing, or other purposes. This helps create a circular economy, where resources are reused instead of being wasted.

Growing Focus on Safety and Environmental Protection

Governments and organizations around the world are putting more pressure on industries to ensure that their ship recycling processes are safe and environmentally friendly. For example, the European Union introduced rules in 2013 to protect the environment during ship dismantling. In 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will also enforce its Ship Recycling Convention to further these goals.

However, there are not many shipyards in the world that currently meet these strict standards. Oono Development, which is based in Ehime Prefecture, wants to change that by using its advanced demolition techniques to promote safe, fast, and environmentally friendly recycling.

NYK’s Commitment to Sustainable Ship Recycling

NYK Group is focused on ensuring that its ships are recycled safely and meet the requirements of the IMO’s Ship Recycling Convention. The company’s Dry Bulk Business Division is also looking beyond just shipping and into supply chains that support decarbonization efforts, creating new business opportunities in the process.

This joint study with Oono Development will help promote decarbonization and build a stronger circular economy. It will ensure that the ship recycling process meets the growing global demand for environmental responsibility, legal compliance, and worker safety.