The Japanese Ro-Ro ferry Niraikanai II remains aground off Toshima Island after running onto a rocky shoreline while sailing from Osaka to Tokyo. The grounding occurred at approximately 03:30 local time on June 19 as the vessel was transiting waters south of Honshu on a scheduled voyage to Tokyo.
According to Japanese authorities, the crew reported that the vessel had gone aground near Toshima Island, a small volcanic island in the Izu archipelago. The Japan Coast Guard dispatched a patrol vessel to the scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
There were 17 crewmembers aboard at the time of the grounding. No injuries have been reported, and authorities said there were no immediate signs of flooding or marine pollution.
The vessel remains stranded after initial attempts to refloat it proved unsuccessful. As of the latest reports, the ship was unable to resume navigation under its own power.
MV Niraikanai II is a Japanese-flagged Ro-Ro cargo ferry operated by Ryukyu Kaiun. Built in 2017, the vessel is approximately 181 metres long, has a gross tonnage of about 11,700 GT and is employed on domestic cargo services linking Okinawa, Osaka and Tokyo. The vessel primarily transports vehicles, trailers and other rolling cargo.
The extent of the vessel’s cargo load at the time of the accident has not been disclosed. Local media reported that weather and sea conditions were favourable when the grounding occurred, with relatively light winds and calm seas, suggesting environmental conditions were unlikely to have been a significant factor.
The cause of the grounding has not yet been determined.
Groundings involving large domestic Ro-Ro vessels are relatively uncommon in Japanese coastal waters, where shipping traffic is dense and navigation systems are highly developed. Investigators are expected to review voyage data, bridge procedures and navigational information as part of the inquiry.
Salvage planners are now expected to assess the vessel’s condition and determine the safest method of refloating the ferry without causing damage to the hull or surrounding marine environment.
