The liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier LNG Barka, operated and managed by an NYK Group company, along with the bulk carrier Lily Fortune, operated by NYK, was honored with the "Best Quality Ship 2024" award sponsored by the Japan Federation of Pilots' Associations.* The award ceremony took place on June 26. Notably, among the approximately 24,000 vessels evaluated in fiscal year 2024, the NYK Group proudly had two of the nine award-winning ships.

The award was established in 2003 to promote safe vessel operation and the protection of ports and the marine environment.** Each year, up to 10 vessels are selected for the award from among the vessels boarded by pilots in September and October in pilotage districts throughout Japan.

The selection process entails a comprehensive evaluation of several key factors: the quality of facilities that support safe and reliable pilot embarkation and disembarkation, the level of training provided in BRM,*** and the effectiveness of the unified onboard command and order system. A thorough review of these elements culminated in our receipt of the award.

* Japan Federation of Pilots’ Associations (JFPA): Under the revised Pilotage Law, the JFPA was founded on April 1, 2007, as an incorporated national federation composed of district-wide pilot associations.
https://pilot.or.jp/english/e_frame.htm 

** For more information on the Best Quality Ship award, please visit the Japan Federation of Pilots' Associations website below.　
https://pilot.or.jp/news/award_2024.htm

*** Bridge Resource Management: Management method employing the concept of Cockpit Resource Management developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This method aims to utilize human resources on the bridge from where a ship is controlled and to improve human interface.