Japan Welcomes the Arrival of Asuka III, Its Largest LNG-Powered Cruise Ship

Japan recently celebrated the official delivery of the Asuka III, hailed as the country’s “biggest cruise ship ever”, to NYK Cruises, a subsidiary of the renowned Japanese shipping group NYK. This milestone was marked on April 10 when the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft handed over the vessel to NYK Cruises, following successful technical and nautical sea trials in the North Sea that took place on March 18. The trials were conducted after the ship was transferred some 40 kilometers down the Ems from the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg.

Described as “one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships ever built,” the Asuka III represents a significant step towards reducing emissions and carbon intensity in the maritime industry, as stated by the shipbuilder. It is powered by LNG, a cleaner fuel alternative, which is expected to lead to substantial reductions in particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions.

The CEO of MEYER WERFT Group, Bernd Eikens, expressed his satisfaction with the timely delivery of the Asuka III, emphasizing the hard work and dedication of the entire Meyer Werft team and its partners in bringing the ship to life. Eikens also highlighted that while many interior elements will be added in Yokohama, the ship’s home port, the Asuka III already promises to be a remarkable vessel for the Japanese public.

NYK Line had secured the booking for the ship in March 2021, with Meyer Werft incorporating various customized solutions for the unit, including hydrodynamics optimized for planned routes and contactless controls. Construction of the Asuka III commenced in September 2023 and concluded in January 2025 when the vessel was floated out of the covered building dock. The cruise ship will now join its sister ship, the 241-meter-long Asuka II, which had been NYK’s sole unit until now.