Archived Stories

Two agents from Tokyo are currently in Tonga on Monday 26 May, on a survey mission to assess the conditions of Vuna Wharf for the forthcoming visit of Japanese Cruise Asuka II early next year.

While in Tonga, Mr. Satoru Yoshida, of NYK Cruises Company Ltd, and his counterpart Mr. Takayuki Hoshii of the U.T.I Japan Co. Ltd, a member of the Overseas Tour Operators Association of Japan met with Tonga’s Ports Master Captain Hakaumotu, to look at the feasibility of Vuna Wharf’s hosting the Asuka II.

This will be the first time for Asuka II to visit Tonga, and the visit is unique, because it will be a 15-day nonstop cruise direct from Japan to Tonga. The Asuka II is scheduled to carry 800 passengers, containing an average of elderly and retired travellers.

It is due to arrive in Nuku’alofa at 9:00 am on February 24, 2015 and depart on the same day at 5:00 pm in the evening.

The Ship Spec:

Name of vessel: M.S. ASUKA II

Name of owner: NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. Tokyo Japan

Name of operator: NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. Tokyo Japan

Port of register: Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture

Nationality: Japanese

Official number: 140287

Signal letter: 7JBI                                                                                                                                                                                       

MMSI number: 432545000

IMO number: IMO 8806204

Company IMO number: IMO 1902385                                                                                                                                                                                    

Length (LOA): 240.96 M

Length (LPP): 205.00 M

Breadth (MLD): 9.6 M

Depth (To upper deck): 19.25 M               

Depth (To bulkhead deck): 10.4 M

Draft (Extreme/Summer): 8.022 M

Air draft: 52.5M (Above bottom line)                                                                                                                                     

Registered tonnage: (Gross) 50,142 tons                                                                                                                              

                (Net): 20,880 tons                                                                                                                           

                (Dead weight): 7,548 tons                                                                                                                           

Panama canal tonnage: (Gross) 52,822 tons                                                                                                                        

                (Net) 40,914 tons                                                                                                                            

Suez canal tonnage: (Gross) 52,547.02 tons                                                                                                                  

                (Net) 41,518.20 tons                                                                                                                  

Main generator engine: MITSUBISHI MAN B&W 8L58/64 x 4 sets (8,640Kw x 400 rpm)

Aux. generator engine: WARTSILA 8R32E (3,240Kw x 720 rpm)

Propulsion motor: ABB HSSOL 32/1158 (12,000Kw x 0-132 rpm)

With twin controllable pitch propellers and twin rudders

Bow thruster: LIPS CT09-2P 1000Kw x 2set / 1360PS x 2 set

Servise speed: 21.0 kts (Max)                                                                                                                                                    

Place of built: M.H.I. NAGASAKI SHIPYARD & MACHINERY WORKS

Date of launch/built: 30th Sep. 1989 / 21st Jun. 1990

Pax & Crew capacity (Max): Passenger: 1,110 persons                                                                                                   

Officer & Crew: 500 persons                                                                                                       

Total: 1,610 persons

ENDS

Issued by the: Ports Authority Tonga, 2014.