News Releases in 2007
April 3, 2007
On April 2, 2007, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koji Miyahara) sold all its shares (4,000 shares; 58.8% of all NAC shares) of Nippon Airship Corporation (NAC) to Tochiki Kisen Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeya Tochiki), and withdrew from the airship business.
In order to establish an airship business in Japan, NYK invested in NAC in September 2003 and proceeded with business activities focused on publicity and accumulating knowledge about airship operations.
However, NYK's plan to restore profitability began to exceed initial estimates. Additionally, there were fewer opportunities than expected to fully utilize synergy between the airship business and other NYK businesses, such as cruise services. As a result, after reviewing future business strategies, NYK decided to sell its shares of NAC.
The current majority equity holder of NAC, Tochiki Kisen Co., Ltd. (300 shares; 4.4% of all NAC shares), considers the airship business to have great potential and is planning business expansion. Therefore, NYK decided to sell its shares to Tochiki Kisen Co., Ltd. Under a reorganization and newly implemented structure, NAC will continue to maintain and develop its business.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported NYK's airship business over the past three and a half years.
Overview of Nippon Airship Corporation
| Established | March 26, 2002 |
|---|---|
| Capital | 340 million yen |
| Location | 8-1-14 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo |
| President | Junkichi Kato |
| Business Areas | Publicity and passenger/cargo transport by airship, and other airship-related businesses |
Principal Particulars for Zeppelin NT
| Length | 75.0 m |
|---|---|
| Max. Width | 19.5 m |
| Height | 17.4 m |
| Envelope Volume | 8,225 m³ |
| Crew/Passenger Capacity | 14 (including two crewmen) |
| Passenger Cabin Length | 10.7 m |
| Payload | 1,900 kg |
| Propulsion (three engines) | 200 Hp |
| Max. Cruising Speed | 125 km/h |
| Max. Cruising Range | 900 km |
| Max. Cruising Altitude | 2,600 m |
| Max. Flight Duration | 24 hours |
