SHUHO MARU

The Iino Kaiun Group operates a fleet of small gas tankers, the main contingent being small pressurized LPG tankers. The fleet transports a diverse range of cargos, from liquefied gases that include fuel gases, such as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and LNG (liquefied natural gas), and petrochemical gases, including ethylene and VCM (vinyl chloride monomers, to high-temperature cargos such as molten sulfur and asphalt.

Iino Kaiun Group's Small Gas Tanker Division began by transporting LPG in domestic waters aboard the 桃邦 Maru, Japan's first pressurized domestic gas tanker, which was completed in 1960. The division has since expanded its LPG transport activities and diversified cargo types, and as domestic distribution became increasingly integrated with distribution in Asia in response to customers' needs, the division expanded geographically to add adjacent waters to its existing domestic routes. We are currently the domestic market leader in terms of volume of LPG and petrochemical gases transported domestically, and we are also a leader in adjacent waters. In 2005, we put into operation Japan's second domestic LNG tanker, the North Pioneer.

HUMMINGBIRD

The Iino Kaiun Group's small gas tanker operations were formerly carried out by separate business units: an operating division at the Head Office and shipholding divisions at affiliated companies. To provide even higher levels of service to meet customers' needs, these business units were later integrated to form Iino Gas Transport Co., Ltd. This change meant that we own and maintain vessels as well as operating them, which enables us to quickly and accurately respond to customers' needs and deliver safe, high-quality services.

Gas transport is positioned as a key strategic business in IEG 14 (Iino's Evolutionary Growth Plan to 2014), the Iino Kaiun Group's medium-term management plan. As the division responsible for gas transport in both domestic and adjacent waters, the Small Gas Tanker Division will continue to support the overall growth of the Iino Kaiun Group.