Sado Steam Ship Co., Ltd. (佐渡汽船株式会社, Sado Kisen Kabushiki-gaisha) is a marine transportation company based in Sado, Niigata, Japan, it was founded as Sado Shosen on February 3, 1913. In 1932, the modern version of the company was established through the merger of three ferry companies; Sado Shosen, Etsusa Shosen and Niigata Kisen into Sado Kisen as a joint public-private venture. This was the first example of this kind of joint public-private venture in Japan.[2] On March 31, 2022, 66.54% of this company's shares were transferred to Michinori Holdings, transferring overall ownership to that company.

Sado Steam Ship Co., Ltd.
Native name
佐渡汽船株式会社
Company typeCorporation
IndustryPublic Transportation
FoundedFebruary 3, 1913 (1913-02-03)[1]
Headquarters,
Japan
Area served
Niigata Prefecture
ParentMichinori Holdings (66.54%)
Niigata Prefecture (10.72%)
Sado, Niigata (3.52%)
Websitewww.sadokisen.co.jp/language/en/
Routes connecting the mainland to Sado Island

Routes

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Sado Steam Ship has two routes which connect the mainland to Sado Island.[3]

  • Niigata – Ryotsu
  • Naoetsu – Ogi (From spring to autumn)

Former routes

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  • Teradomari – Akadomari

Terminals

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Niigata port terminal

Sado Steam Ship operates from six terminals.[4][5]

Niigata port terminal
Located in Chūō-ku, Niigata (37°55′47″N 139°03′44″E / 37.9298°N 139.0622°E / 37.9298; 139.0622 (Sado Kisen Niigata Terminal))
Naoetsu port terminal
Located in Jōetsu (37°10′57″N 138°15′03″E / 37.1825°N 138.2508°E / 37.1825; 138.2508 (Sado Kisen Naoetsu Terminal))
Teradomari port terminal
Located in Nagaoka (37°38′25″N 138°45′45″E / 37.6404°N 138.7624°E / 37.6404; 138.7624 (Sado Kisen Teradomari Terminal))
Ryotsu port terminal
Located in Sado (38°04′54″N 138°26′18″E / 38.0816°N 138.4382°E / 38.0816; 138.4382 (Sado Kisen Ryotsu Terminal))
Ogi port terminal
Located in Sado (37°48′58″N 138°16′57″E / 37.8162°N 138.2824°E / 37.8162; 138.2824 (Sado Kisen Ogi Terminal))
Akadomari port terminal
Located in Sado (37°52′00″N 138°24′44″E / 37.8666°N 138.4123°E / 37.8666; 138.4123 (Sado Kisen Akadomari Terminal))

Fleet

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As of December 2016, the following ships are in service.[6]

Name Type Gross tonnage Speed Passenger capacity Route In service from
Ginga Jetfoil - 47 kn 250 Niigata 1986
Tsubasa 1989
Suisei 1991
Tokiwa-maru Car ferry 5,380 t 19.1 kn 1,500 Niigata 2014
Okesa-maru 5,862 t 23.4 kn 1,705 Niigata 1993
Akane High-speed car ferry 5,702 t 30 kn 628 Naoetsu 2015
Aibisu High-speed ferry 263 t 25 kn 216 Teradomari 2005

References

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  1. ^ "Top page". Sado Steam Ship. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ^ This company was invested by Niigata Kotsu and Niigata Prefecture when it was established
  3. ^ "All about Sado Island". MIJ International. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Info on getting to ports". Sado Official Tourist Information. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Passenger Guidance". Sado Steam Ship. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Ship Guidance". Sado Steam Ship. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
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