NYK Line, together with its ship management subsidiary NYK Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd. (NYKSM), carried out a major crisis-response drill on 17 October off the coast of Okinawa Prefecture.

The exercise simulated a fire in the cargo hold of a car carrier operated by NYK, which escalated when the vessel collided with a small boat during firefighting operations.

The drill was part of NYK’s annual “Remember Naka-no-Se” safety campaign, now in its 28th year. Started in 1998, the campaign takes place every July and August to ensure that lessons from the 1997 Diamond Grace oil spill remain ingrained in company safety practices.

The programme includes crisis-response exercises and visits by executives and employees to vessels to strengthen communication between ship and shore.

The exercise was conducted with support from external organisations, including the Maritime Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, and the Japanese Shipowners’ Association.

NYKSM offices in Singapore and India, responsible for managing the vessel, also participated in the drill to ensure effective coordination across multiple locations.

According to the drill scenario, NYKSM first received notification of a fire in the vessel’s cargo hold. Communication channels with all relevant parties were immediately established, and initial response actions began.

As the situation worsened due to the collision with a small craft, the NYK Crisis-Management Headquarters was promptly activated.

Rescue operations were carried out to ensure the safety of the small boat passengers and the ship’s crew, while firefighting efforts continued in coordination with the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters.

Press releases were issued as events unfolded, and a mock press conference was held by senior NYK executives, showing the company’s organised approach to crisis management.

The drill successfully recreated the intensity of a real emergency, showing the importance of fast response, clear communication, and teamwork between ship and shore. It also highlighted NYK’s ongoing commitment to safety, a key focus of the “Remember Naka-no-Se” campaign.

Reference: NYK