During World War Ⅱ, NYK tragically lost its two key assets – ships and crew. Following the war and throughout a period of high economic growth, the company embarked on the development and use of specialized carriers to support Japan’s economic growth.
1945
Only 37 vessels, totalling 155,469 gross tons, remained after World War ll.
(185 vessels totalling 1,131,424 gross tons lost in the war)
1951-1957
Main liner services resumed.
1959
Group’s first crude oil tanker, Tamba Maru, launched.
1960
Group’s first iron ore tanker, Tobata Maru, launched.
1961
Cargo-passenger ship, Hikawa Maru, moored in the port of Yokohama, where it is opened to the public.
1962
World’s first large LPG carrier, Bridgestone Maru, launched.
1964
NYK and Mitsubishi Shipping Co. Ltd. merged to form a newly enlarged NYK Group.
World’s first wood-chip carrier, Kure Maru, launched.
1968
Hakone Maru, Japan’s first fully containerized ship, began service on new California route.
1969
Near seas and domestic coastal services transferred to Kinkai Yusen Kaisha Ltd.
Container service to Australia began.
Group’s first car/bulk carrier, Toyota Maru No. 5, launched.
NYK Line (Hong Kong) Ltd. and NYK (Thailand) Co. Ltd. established.
1970
Container service to the west coast of North America began.
Group’s first car carrier, Jintsu Maru, launched.
1971
Container service to Europe began.
1972
Container service to the east coast of North America began.
1974
Group’s first container terminal operations commenced at Oi in the port of Tokyo.
1978
Nippon Cargo Airlines Co. Ltd. (NCA) established.
1979
Container service to Persian Gulf began.
