Ships of Kanmon Strait

a general cargo ship, sailed the Kanmon Straits on January 23, 2025. Ship Freakazoid captured the vessel with an Olympus E520 DSLR in photographs and a JVC Everio on video for your viewing pleasure.  SILVER LUCKY 銀吉 It was a surprisingly hazy afternoon on Japan's Kanmon Strait, especially looking west at Kokura from Shimonoseki. Looking east at Moji was noticeably clearer, but still had some haze. Japan's LDP will blame China's CCP for this, but it sure looks like the haze is coming from Kitakyushu... Vessel Name: SILVER LUCKY 銀吉 Vessel Type: General Cargo Ship Flag: Hong Kong Year Built: 2011 Length: 120 meters Width: 20.80 meters Gross Tonnage: 9129 IMO: 9594676 MMSI: 477746300 Callsign: VRHT4 SILVER LUCKY 銀吉 General Cargo Ship in Kanmon Strait

Atago Maru No. 2 ★ 第二あたご丸 (IMO 8922711)   Vessel Name: Atago Maru No. 2 ★ 第二あたご丸 Vessel Type: Oil Products Tanker IMO: 8922711 MMSI: 431400531 Call Sign: JK5460 Length: 49.19 meters Width: 8.00 meters Year Built: March 1996 Engine: 1D/1,000 PS Gross Tonnage: 199 Deadweight: 543 Ship Freakazoid captured this vessel on a chilly winter noon, January 6th, 2025 with an Olympus E520 DSLR camera with Zuiko 150mm lens (photo above) and JVC Everio GZ-E265-N video camera with 54x Konica Minolta lens mounted on Slik tripod (video below). No filters were used, no editing was performed, and voodoo doctors were not utilized in the production of what you see. Footage was shot from the Garden Paradise Kitakyushu Kokura North Ward stretch of the Kanmon Straits of Japan. 

Confidence sailed the Kanmon Straits on September 27, 2024. Ship Freakazoid captured the 146 meter vessel on digital "film" for your viewing pleasure. CONFIDENCE (IMO 9865879) Container Ship in Kanmon Straits Japan The container ship was photographed from an island in the strait known as Ganryujima (Google it! It has a cool history!) which provides some excellent vantage points for getting photos and video of the passing ships. Photos were taken with a used Olympus e520 DSLR camera with Zuiko 150mm lens.  Musashi Miyamoto vs Kojiro Sasaki on Ganryujima In the video below, you can see Confidence sail thru the Kanmon Straits with, well, confidence. SF uses an older used JVC Everio 54x zoom video camera for video. A secondhand Slik tripod was also used for this footage.  The stern of Confidence indicates its home port is Majuro (Marshall Islands). Never been, but will wager it's a nice place and that the islands are beautiful.  Confidence - Container ship sailing in Japan (K...

The ro-ro (roll on / roll off) vehicles carrier GRAND PACE passed through the Kanmon Straits of Japan on August 12, 2024.  This blue and white vessel was captured on digital film by Ship Freakazoid with an Olympus e520 DSLR with Zuiko 150mm lens.  Digital video footage was also recorded using a second-hand JVC Everio with 54x zoom Konica Minolta lens.  Grand Pace roro automobile carrier IMO #: 9169328  Vessel Name: GRAND PACE  Type: Vehicles Carrier / Roll On - Roll Off Automobile Carrier  Flag: Panama  Gross Tonnage: 50309  Summer Deadweight (t): 16669  Length: 179 meters Width: 32 meters  Year Built: 1999   Japanese summers are notoriously hot and humid, but there was a pleasant sea breeze felt in Kokura (Kitakyushu) while Grand Pace was being photographed and recorded. Grand Pace sailing past the Garden Paradise Kitakyushu Vehicles Carrier sailing thru Japanese waters Ship Freakazoid would like to remind of a few things. Olde...

On a fine early summer day in May 2024, Ship Freakazoid captured this cool Chinese container ship on digital film with an Olympus e520 DSLR camera. HAISU 7 (Hai Su 7 / 海遠7) sailing thru Kanmon Straits Vessel Name: HAISU 7 (Hai Su 7 / 海遠7)  Length: 129.58 meters  Width: 20.6 meters  IMO: 9339014  Flag: China (soon to become West Taiwan)  MMSI: 413703960  Type: Container Ship / Cargo - Hazard A (Major)  Call Sign: BQVU  Gross Tonnage: 7545 tons  DWT: 8241 tons  Home Port: Quanzhou 泉州市 Year Built: 2005 A.D.  This vessel was built by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding (Mawei, China) and is operated by Quanzhou Ansheng Shipping Co, Ltd.  Oh, by the way, the phallic tower in the background (of the photo above) is in Shimonoseki Japan, right across the Kanmon Strait from Moji in the Garden Paradise Kitakyushu. The little boat in the foreground is a recreational fishing boa...

RUN LONG - Ship named by a QB? This had to have been named by a quarterback---right? Sounds like something Kenny Stabler would say to Fred Biletnikoff in the huddle before a critical 3rd down..."Double Right Open. Z-Orbit, Scat Left, 787 F-Drag On 2. Fred, you RUN LONG!" Turns out, RUN LONG is a 127 meter long container ship sailing under the Flag of Panama, and apparently sometimes passes thru the Kanmon Straits, stopping in Moji (Garden Paradise Kitakyushu). Bet ya' it is carrying loads of Wilson "The Duke" footballs. Bet ya'! RUN LONG heading towards the End Zone of Kitakyushu And, here goes Run Long heading towards the End Zone of Kitakyushu on its way to score a TD. Go Raiders! Name: RUN LONG Length:     127 meters Width:       20 meters IMO:         9172612 Flag:         Panama IMO:         9172612 MMSI: 370206000 Type: Container Ship Ship Freakazoid used an Olympus e520 D...

The Chinese container ship Xin Ming Zhou 26 passed thru the Kanmon Strait on the afternoon of March 10, 2024.  Ship Freakazoid captured the vessel on digital film with his trusty Olympus e520 DSLR from the Moji Kitakyushu side of the strait. This ship often makes runs between Japan and China, many times frequenting the ports of Tokyo, Ningbo and Zhapu. Shimonoseki is in the background. Does anyone know what is in the containers?      Vessel Name:  XIN MING ZHOU 26 IMO #:  9736432  Ship Type:  Container Ship  Flag:  China (I prefer to refer to it as WEST TAIWAN)  Gross Tonnage:  9653  Summer Deadweight (t):  12594  Length:  143 meters  Width:  23 meters Year Built:  2015

On a miserable foggy, misty, cold and rainy day, March 4, 2024, to be exact, Zuiderdam was photographed by Ship Freakazoid. A trusty Olympus e520 DSLR was used to capture this Holland America Line cruise ship as it passed thru the Kanmon Strait between Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki, hopefully on its way to better weather.  ZUIDERDAM - Holland America Line cruise ship Holland America's homepage says: "Classic nautical finishes, modern amenities and a spectacular art collection make Zuiderdam a continued favorite and the new home for our annual Grand World Voyage. Numerous enrichment and entertainment activities keep guests going from the moment they wake on this cruise ship. When it comes to dining, there are options for everyone, from steak at the Pinnacle Grill to burgers and fries at Dive-In to exquisite Italian cuisine at Canaletto. Hear your favorite tunes all evening long at music clubs, such as the Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard." Sounds like it would b...

The BBC Chartering vessel BBC Maryland travelled thru the Kanmon Straits of Japan in February 2024.  This general cargo ship a Dry Bulk / Mini Bulkers 3 segment vessel sailing under the Flag of Antigua Barbuda.  Here, this BBC Maine Type multi-purpose heavy lifter can be seen docked in Kitakyushu, Japan (photo taken February 10, 2024).   BBC Maryland - General Cargo Ship / Dry Bulk Carrier / Mini Bulkers 3 Ship Name:  BBC MARYLAND Flag:  Antigua Barbuda IMO:  9433298 MMSI:  305459000 Call Sign:  V2EK4 General Vessel Type:  Cargo Detailed Vessel Type:  General Cargo DWAT:  12,780 mt Cubic Capacity:  15,952 cbm / 563,340 cbft BBC Maryland at port in Kitakyushu, Japan BBC Maryland has two cranes, each with lifting capacities up to 150 mt, giving it a combinable lifting capacity of up to 300 mt.  No wonder the birds flock to BBCs! BBC MARYLAND in Kitakyushu Japan Feb. 2024 A quick Internet search (May 17, 2024) ...

CMA CGM CHOPIN is a 20 year old container ship with a carrying capacity of 5770 TEU and was photographer by Ship Freakazoid as it travelled thru the Kanmon Straits on its way from Osaka Japan to Busan Korea. CMA CGM CHOPIN - 277 meter long container ship passing thru Kanmon Straits Name: CMA CGM CHOPIN  IMO: 9280603  General vessel type: Cargo - Hazard A (Major)  Detailed vessel type: Container Ship  Flag: Malta [MT]  Gross Tonnage: 65730  Summer DWT: 73266 t  TEU: 5770 Length: 277.28 meters Width: 40 meters  Year built: 2004  Port of registry: VALLETTA CMA CGM CHOPIN in Kanmon Straits Japan CMA CGM CHOPIN cargo ship passing between Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki 5770 TEU 277 meter cargo ship CMA CGM CHOPIN CMA CGM CHOPIN on its way to Busan Korea from Osaka Japan The glorious vessel CMA CGM CHOPIN passing by Garden Paradise Kitakyushu As per usual, the trusty old Olympus E520 DSLR and Zuiko 40-150mm zoom lens were utilized to photograph this ves...

Korean general cargo ship DK IMAN sailing thru Kanmon Straits on its way to Fukuyama Japan from Pyeongtaek Korea. Korean general cargo ship DK IMAN sailing thru Kanmon Straits Name: DK IMAN  IMO: 9294769  General vessel type: Cargo  Detailed vessel type: General Cargo  Flag: Korea [KR]  Gross Tonnage: 4562  Summer DWT: 6725 t  Length: 109.47 meters Width: 16.6 meters  Year built: 2004 Jeju based DK IMAN (109 m) looks tiny next to CMA CGM CHOPIN (277 m) On January 9th 2024 AD the Korean general cargo DK IMAN (not DKNY!!!) passed thru the Kanmon Strait between Shimonoseki and Moji Kitakyushu on its way to Fukuyama Japan from Pyeongtaek Korea. The  Jeju based DK IMAN (109 m) looks tiny next to CMA CGM CHOPIN (277 m).  Ship Freakazoid used an Olympus E520 DSLR with Zuiko 40-150mm lens to capture this vessel on digital "film" for fellow ship freaks to enjoy.  DK IMAN's home port is apparently Jeju Korea.  Never been, but would love ...

GASCHEM LEDA recently passed thru the Kanmon Straits of Japan.  This vessel is an LPG Tanker and has a carrying capacity of 6459 cubic meters of liquid gas. GASCHEM LEDA - LPG Tanker - Kanmon Straits Japan   Name: GASCHEM LEDA  IMO: 9374882 General vessel type: Tanker  Detailed vessel type: LPG Tanker  Flag: Liberia [LR]  Gross Tonnage: 5973 Summer  DWT: 7410 t  Length: 114.98 meters  WIDTH: 16.8 meters  Year built: 2007  Port of registry: MONROVIA LPG Tanker GASCHEM LEDA as photographed by Ship Freakazoid The vessel GASCHEM LEDA passing by Shimonoseki GASCHEM LEDA passing by pollution spewing factories of Kitakyushu Japan On a lazy hazy day early in 2024 A.D., the vessel GASCHEM LEDA passed thru the Kanmon Straits of Japan and was captured on "digital film" by Ship Freakazoid with his trusty Olympus E520 DSLR and Zuiko lens.  The ship was apparently heading to Korea's Port of Daesan.  More info. on the port here: https://...

  WARISA NAREE Bulk Carrier sailing under the Flag of Thailand IMO: 9343417 Name: WARISA NAREE Vessel Type - Generic: Cargo Vessel Type - Detailed: Bulk Carrier MMSI: 567105000 Call Sign: HSRW Flag: Thailand [TH] Gross Tonnage: 32661 Summer DWT: 53840 t Length Overall: 190 meters Width: 32 meters Year Built: 2010  WARISA NAREE in the Kanmon Staits Japan August 2023 Anyone who has ever been to Thailand loves the country.  It is a beautiful country with friendly people.  Great food, beaches, scenery, shopping, sights---the works!  So, when this Thai vessel passed thru the Kanmon Straits in August 2023, Ship Freakazoid was happy to see the ship's home port was Bangkok.  An Olympus e520 DSLR camera with Zuiko 150mm lens was used to photograph Warisa Naree as she passed between Shimonoseki Yamaguchi and Kitakyushu Fukuoka Japan.  Have a safe trip, wherever you're going! The Thai vessel Warisa Naree passing by Japan

EVER BALMY is a large container ship in the 211 vessel (as of May 2023) fleet of Taiwan's Evergreen.  She was photographed by Ship Freakazoid on August 4, 2023 from the Shimonoseki side of the Kanmon Strait.  Oh, and by the way, Taiwan is a country and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can bugger off! Evergreen's EVER BALMY sailing thru the Kanmon Strait of Japan IMO: 9786944 Name: EVER BALMY Vessel Type - Generic: Cargo - Hazard D (Recognizable) Vessel Type - Detailed: Container Ship MMSI: 416031000 Call Sign: BKLB Flag: Taiwan [TW] Gross Tonnage: 33266 Summer DWT: 37301 t Length: 211.9 meters Width: 32.8 meters Year Built: 2017 Home Port: Keelung Evergreen EVER BALMY container ship sailing under Kanmon Bridge Japan Ever Balmy was sailing eastward thru the Kanmon Strait of Japan.  In the above photo she is going under the massive Kanmon Bridge, which connects Shimonoseki City and the Island of Honshu with Kitakyushu and the Island of Kyushu.  Photos were taken from ...

  MIRAIE (みらいへ) - Japanese Passenger Ship/ Training Sailing Ship MIRAIE was photographed by Ship Freakazoid as she passed thru the Kanmon Straits during the Harbor Festival (Minato Matsuri - 港祭り) in Mojiko, Kitakyushu, Japan in May of 2022.  An Olympus e520 DSLR camera and Zuiko 150mm lens were used to photograph the vessel.  It was nice to see this ship passing thru and passing by container ships, etc.  Nice change of pace! MIRAIE (みらいへ） Purpose: Passenger ship (training sailing ship) Gross tonnage: 230 tons (domestic), 362 tons (international) Total length/width...52.16m x 8.60m Passenger capacity: 38 people (for overnight stays) Main engine... 320PS x 1 unit Sailing 3 masts, 13 total sails From the Miraie owner's Japanese homepage: 『みらいへ』のミッション 帆船「みらいへ」は、日本で唯一、一般の皆さまが自由に乗ることができる帆船です。 私たちは、「地球人になろう。」をテーマに、未来を担うグローバル人材の育成を目的とし、セイルトレーニング等を用いた実践・体験型野外教育を展開し、決断力や責任感、コミュニケーション力を養い、チームワークやリーダーシップ等、総合的な人間力向上を目指す様々なプログラムを提供します。 また、海事・海洋教育やクルーズ、国際交流等、多彩なアクティビティを通じ、多様な視点で海や自...

  STAR EXPRESS - Korean Container Ship in Kanmon Straits Star Express is a KMTC Line (Korea Marine Transport Co., LTD.) cargo vessel.  This container ship was photographed as it traveled thru the Kanmon Straits between Kokura and Moji, Kitakyushu City and Shimonoseki City.  An Olympus e520 DSLR camera with Zuiko 150mm zoom lens was used by the ship freakazoid who photographed it.  He also wonders what is inside the containers?   Vessel's Name:  STAR EXPRESS Ship Type:         Container Ship / Cargo Vessel Flag:                 Marshall Islands Length:             143 meters Width:               22 meters Year Built:             2010

ASIAN DYNASTY is a 200 meter long Korean RoRo auto carrier vessel and was photographed by Ship Freakazoid as it passed thru the Kanmon Strait on a lovely spring day (May 9, 2022). Asian Dynasty 200 meter Roro auto carrier ship   Vessel Name     ASIAN DYNASTY Ship Type         Vehicles Carrier Flag                 Korea Gross Tonnage  55719 (t) Length Overall  200 meters Beam               32 meters IMO Number     9203588 Year Built         1999  Asian Dynasty a Korean cargo ship Look how it dwarfs the little boat passing thru the Kanmon Straits in the other direction. Must be intimidating... Hey! Looks like it could use a paint job, too! Asian Dynasty passing thru Kanmon Strait EUKOR is a global RoRo shipping company...

Meet TORONTO. Toronto is not that place in Canada but a RORO auto carrier in the Wallenius Wilhelmsen fleet. This amazing vessel is 200 meters long and 32 meters wide. It is a very impressive ship!  Toronto - a Wallenius Wilhlmsen Roro Auto Carrier Vessel 001 It was photographed as it passed thru the Kanmon Straits on March 7, 2022 (JST). Toronto was on its way from Kanda Japan to Incheon Korea.  Toronto - a Wallenius Wilhlmsen Roro Auto Carrier Vessel 002 As it passed between the cities of Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki it looked like it was bigger than the buildings it passed by. Even the large buildings in the Moji Ward of Garden Paradise Kitakyushu look small next to this ship. Toronto - a Wallenius Wilhelmsen Roro Auto Carrier Vessel 003 It looks almost as tall as the Kaikyo Yume Tower (海峡ゆめタワー) which is the phallic shaped tower in the left of the photograph above. The tower is no shorty, either. It stands erect at 143 meters and makes any man jealous. Toronto - a Wallenius ...