New Japan/Russia ferry in 2016?

[Chris of Japan]

Possibly a new ferry between Vladivostok and Niigata next year.
Only one night on the boat seems pretty fast.
Way back in '03 when a similar ferry was running, I remember two nights on the boat.
Hope this pans out as the Sakhalin route probably is ending this year, and the other ferry via Korea is quite expensive. Niigata would be close enough for me to actually go to the customs office to negotiate for easier entry for motorcyclists.
TASS: World - Japan develops project of freight, passenger ferry link with Russia’s Pacific coast

[Kurvenfieber]

There will be a ferry this summer from Shakkalin to Wakkanai.
36 crossings, very small boat, only 80 passengers, no freight.
so I guess it´s also not a ferry but a passenger boat. The page is in japanese, so I have to trust the half-japanes italian girl who pased the news to us in Oasis camp.
It will be operated by SASCO.

[Chris of Japan]

Originally Posted by Kurvenfieber

The page is in japanese, so I have to trust the half-japanes italian girl who pased the news to us in Oasis camp.
It will be operated by SASCO.

Send the URL and I will check it out.
I have not heard of this before.

[Kurvenfieber]

It was in the russian newspaper. I don't have any more info. But just 5 min. Ago my friend from Vladivostok told me the same.

[mailking]

Interesting. Any confirmation of this would be appreciated.

[Chris of Japan]

I saw in the newspaper that they will not be ready for the 2016 season.

Niigata Prefecture initially planned to buy a used ferry from Korea, but it did not have required 18 knot speed.
While the used ferry was originally used in Japan, it was sold to Korea many years ago.
The Korean company did "modifications" that made it heavier and slower.
It seems the Korean company was the same company that "modified" the "Sewol", which sunk and killed about 400 people.
Niigata Prefecture did not confirm the speed before making the contract as it originally did 21 knots when used in Japan.
But in test runs after concluding the contract, they could only get 11 knots, so they refused to accept the ship.
However, the court found Niigata to be breach of contract for not accepting the ship and they had to pay a large fine. (Speed was probably not a condition in the contract.)
So, unless it can be confided that the same illegal modifications as on the "Sewol" were done, Niigata is out its money and still doesn't have a ship. The prefecture council may not want to provide any more taxpayer money to this venture.
Anyone on the HUBB have a spare ferry laying around they could donate to Niigata Prefecture?

[Chris of Japan]

I got more information, so I edited my previous post.

[mailking]

Originally Posted by Chris of Japan

Anyone on the HUBB have a spare ferry laying around they could donate to Niigata Prefecture?

Ouch.... I hope something positive will happen there!

[JMP]

Hi,
I am also looking for what is going on with the Korasakov-Wakkanaï ferry, as I think of France to Japan trip next summer by bike, solo.
It seems that it is a little bit moving, according what is said thanks to the webmaster of this site Japan-Russia ferry routes |.
I've posted some questions there, and follows the answers and news - the last one says :
"SASCO and Hokkaido Sakhalin Line announced a draft plan to operate a next June to 20th September on 2017 service. They are looking for a suitable ferry boat to carry passengers and freights but they expect to use a passenger vessel the Penguin33 for service on 2017. They will make an official announcement about schedule and ship type on next January. Local media the Wakkanai press reported."
http://wakkanaipress.com/2016/12/02/20417
Unfortunately, i do not read japanese.... So if someone could hellp !
Thanks, and.....fingers crossed !