A Japanese explorer joins the Odfjell fleet

Odfjell’s fleet of energy-efficient supersegregators continues to expand, with the 40,000 dwt Bow Tanaka officially named and launched on July 29 at Japan's Kitanihon shipyard. This launch marked a significant milestone in the company's newbuilding program, with the ceremony attended by patriarch Dan Odfjell Sr. and his wife, vessel godmother Arnhild Odfjell. The event brought together representatives from Odfjell, the shipyard, and key partners.

Dan Odfjell Sr., a founder of modern chemical tanker shipping, offered a personal reflection on the company's long-standing relationship with Japan. Speaking with warmth and humor at 88 years old, he recalled his first visit to Japan in 1960: "I arrived in Yokohama as a seaman of the Wilhelm Wilhelmsen Line, and within three weeks, I shifted over to a very small Odfjell tanker bound for California for another cargo of bulk liquid chemicals."

Dan Odfjell Sr. remarked that since then, Odfjell has evolved into a large shipping company, specializing in stainless steel tankers, and expressed pride in the strong bond with Japan.

The 28-tank stainless steel tanker, Bow Tanaka, is the most advanced design in Odfjell's fleet, featuring both gate rudder and foldable wind-assisted propulsion sails. These energy-efficient technologies are designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining safety and operational performance. The vessel's name honors Tanaka Shosuke, the first recorded Japanese person to cross the Pacific to the Americas in 1610, carrying forward his explorer's legacy in Odfjell's round-the-world trade.