On February 8, NYK concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with Akita Prefecture (Norihisa Satake, governor) for collaboration in Akita prefecture in the fields of promotion and nurturing human resources for the renewable-energy business, nurturing ship-related human resources, utilization of ports, promotion of tourism, environmental preservation, regional revitalization, among others.

Akita prefecture has been proactively proceeding with efforts for renewable energy, such as wind power generation. Public solicitations for offshore wind power business operators have been carried out in accordance with the Act of Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas in Development of Power Generation Facilities Using Maritime Renewable Energy Resources,* and further developments in several sea areas are expected in the future.** NYK has been proactively cooperating with operators within Akita prefecture, such as Akita Eisen KK, for study of collaboration in the CTV*** business in the waters off Akita prefecture.

In addition, the Japan government declared in October 2021 its intention to become carbon neutral by 2050,**** so the social requirement for attaining such is increasing. NYK has set a long-term target of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 2050 for the NYK Group’s oceangoing businesses. In non-oceangoing businesses, NYK has been proceeding with efforts for renewable-energy businesses, namely offshore wind power generation.

In the future, NYK will further reinforce its partnership with Akita prefecture in accordance with this comprehensive partnership agreement and will aim to contribute to a carbon neutral society by promoting renewable-energy related businesses, together with contributing to regional revitalization.

This agreement aims for NYK and Akita Prefecture to promote regional revitalization and improve services for citizens by effectively utilizing each party’s human and material resources.

(1) Promotion of renewable-energy business
(2) Nurturing human resources for renewable-energy business
(3) Nurturing ship-related human resources
(4) Utilization of ports
(5) Promotion of tourism
(6) Preservation of environment
(7) Regional revitalization, etc.

February 8, 2022

On February 3, 2021, NYK released the NYK Group ESG Story, which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy and promotes activities that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs through business activities. To strongly promote ESG management, the NYK Group will encourage new value creation as a sustainable solution provider through the conclusion of this comprehensive partnership agreement with Akita Prefecture.

<NYK Group ESG Story>
A guideline detailing concrete efforts to integrate ESG into management strategies of the NYK Group. Details: https://www.nyk.com/english/news/2021/esg-story_01.html

<Akita prefecture press release >
https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/pages/archive/62649 (Japanese)

* A law that allows the government to designate a zone for the promotion of offshore wind power generation projects and allows power generation companies selected through public solicitation to occupy the sea area for up to 30 years.

** The sea areas off Noshiro, Mitane, and Oga in Akita prefecture, in addition to the sea area off Yurihonjo in Akita prefecture (north and south sides), have been selected as promotion areas.

*** Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV)
A vessel used to transport technicians safely and comfortably to and from sites during offshore wind power construction and maintenance. The vessel is built for high-speed operation and comes equipped with stability equipment that allows crews to safely transfer to and from offshore wind farms.

**** In October 2021, the Japanese government declared that it would aim to reduce GHG emissions to zero as a whole by 2050 and realize a carbon neutral society.