Japanese coastal containership operator Imoto Lines operates a number of feeder vessels with a unique look inspired by the nose of large passenger airplanes.

In 2015, the Kyokuyo shipyard in Yamaguchi, Japan, completed the first SSS-feeder (Semi-Spherically Shaped-feeder) commissioned by Imoto Lines. It was one of the largest feeder vessels ever built in Japan, but what really separated it from other ships in its class was the unusual design. The 600-TEU Natori featured a hemispherical bow that looked very similar to the nose of a large Airbus passenger jet that no one had dared implement before. But this wasn’t just a design option to make the vessel stand out, it had functional aspects that won the Natori the title of “Ship of the Year” from the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Oceanographers as well as numerous other awards in the small cargo vessel category.

Photo: Imoto Lines

The main innovation behind Natori’s hemispherical bow was the improved aerodynamics of the vessel. The rounded bow reduced air resistance by as much as 50%, compared to conventional vessels, which contributed to fuel savings and a reduction in harmful emissions. The new design also reduced fuel consumption by about 5% under any load conditions.

Another significant advantage of the Natori over similar size feeder vessels was the carrying capacity, which was almost twice that of conventional container ships – 548 TEU, or about 500 containers weighing 20 tons each.

Photo: Imoto Lines

The world’s first airplane-nose feeder vessel was such a huge success that Imoto Lines commissioned two more similar ships. In 2018, the Nagara joined the company’s fleet, and in 2022, the larger S-562 Nogami with a capacity of 670 TEU was launched.

For more innovative ship design, check out the aptly-named R/P FLIP is, an open ocean research platform that can flip between the horizontal and vertical position at the flip of a button and is often mistaken for a capsizing ship.