Ship & Ocean Engineering Department, Shipbuilding & Ocean Development Division, Commercial Aviation & Transportation Systems
In preparation for the opening of the new Panama Canal, the expansion of which started in
2007, new-generation post-Panamax PCTC (pure car and truck carriers) are beginning their maiden
voyages. Iris Leader, completed in December 11, 2015, is a new-generation post-Panamax
energy-saving car carrier owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha. Its conceptual design and
hull form development was undertaken by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), and the
following basic and detailed design and shipbuilding was handled by Imabari Shipbuilding Co.,
Ltd. This paper presents the latest new-generation post-Panamax PCTC as achievements of these
efforts by the two companies.
