NYK Drill Tests 100,000-Ton Bulk Carrier Oil Spill Response
NYK simulated a 300-metre bulk carrier grounding and fuel oil spill off Kagawa Prefecture on September 30.
Japan’s NYK Group carried out a large-scale emergency drill on September 30 to prepare for a potential maritime disaster in the Seto Inland Sea. The exercise simulated a 100,000 gross-ton bulk carrier running aground and spilling fuel oil, testing the company’s crisis-response capabilities.
The scenario involved a 300-meter vessel operated by NYK and managed by its subsidiary, NYK Bulkship Partners. According to the drill’s premise, the ship lost steering control near Kagawa Prefecture and grounded in shallow waters, damaging its fuel tank and releasing oil into the sea.
The exercise included participation from key Japanese authorities: the Maritime Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters; and the Japanese Shipowners’ Association. Their collaboration ensured the drill mirrored real emergency conditions, covering coordination, containment, and communication protocols.
Simulated accident and multi-agency response: Oil Spill
After receiving the initial report from NYK Bulkship Partners, the company activated its accident response headquarters. Teams implemented oil spill containment measures, assessed vessel safety, and coordinated with government agencies. A mock press conference was held, with NYK executives Nobuaki Sumida and Katsuhiko Haruna addressing simulated media inquiries.
The drill was part of NYK’s Beyond Naka-no-Se safety campaign, which builds on the annual Remember Naka-no-Se initiative launched after the 1997 Diamond Grace oil spill in Tokyo Bay. The campaign combines accident-response exercises with safety awareness programs, including ship visits, to reinforce operational safety across the NYK Group.
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