WE ARE A CONTINUOUS
INNOVATOR OF
PURE CAR CARRIER SHIPS
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INNOVATION

Ever since we developed Japan’s first pure car carrier, we have continued to innovate technologically as a car transportation pioneer.
1st GENERATION1968
Toyota Maru No. 1, a multiple-deck car carrier,
is inaugurated.
In 1968, “K” LINE made history with the completion of Toyota Maru No. 1, a dual-purpose car carrier/break bulk ship. Cars were driven onto the ship and loaded throughout six decks using onboard elevators, filling a total capacity of 1,250 cars. In its day, the ship was developed as a dual-purpose car and grain carrier, carrying cars for export on the outbound trip, returning with grain loaded for import. Ever since the development of this dual-purpose vessel, “K” LINE has always been innovating in the area of transporting automotive.
19702nd GENERATION
Japan’s first pure car carrier, Toyota Maru No. 10, is developed.
As Japan’s automotive industry expanded and exports of domestically-manufactured cars grew, “K” LINE responded in 1970 by developing and building Japan’s first pure car carrier, Toyota Maru No. 10. By employing the RORO (Roll On–Roll Off) system, cars were driven onto and inside the ship using internal ramps, accommodating as many as 2,500 cars across nine decks. The term Pure Car Carrier we coined at the time has grown to be a part of today’s general maritime transport terminology.
3rd GENERATION1973
The world’s largest and fastest pure car carrier,
European Highway, is deployed.
By 1973, European Highway, the world’s largest and fastest pure car carrier at the time (4,200-car capacity) was deployed into service, establishing a strong foothold in the world’s car transportation business.
20164th GENERATION
Inauguration of DRIVE GREEN HIGHWAY, a next-
generation, environmentally-conscious car carrier.
In 2016, in pursuit of becoming the ultimate energy-saving flagship, the 7,500-car capacity DRIVE GREEN HIGHWAY was completed. While load capacity was increased by 20%, mainly through using a wide-beam design, advanced environmental technologies were employed, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 25%, NOx by more than 50%, and SOx by more than 90% per vehicle transported, as compared to existing super-sized ships.
5th Generation2021
Next-generation environmentally friendly vessel.
In March 2021, one car carrier was delivered to “K” LINE. This vessel, named CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN, is the first in the “K” LINE fleet to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel. The vessel uses a dual-fuel main engine and auxiliary engines (generator, boiler) capable of operating on either LNG or marine gas oil (MGO). Next-generation of environmentally friendly vessels are expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30%, emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100%, and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 80% to 90% with use of LNG fuel and EGR(Exhaust Gas Recirculation), compared to conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil. We have decided to procure eight 7,000 car carriers fueled by LNG by FY2023 to FY2025, following CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN.
OTHER STRENGTHS
QUALITY
SUSTAINABILITY