MOL Cruises Names New Ship ‘MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA’ Ahead Of 2026 Launch

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has officially announced the name of its new cruise ship as the Mitsui Ocean Sakura. The vessel, operated by its subsidiary MOL Cruises, Ltd., is scheduled to begin service in late 2026.

The company confirmed that the ship will fly the Japanese flag and will be designed for short- to medium-length cruises starting and ending at different ports across Japan.

With a gross tonnage of about 32,000 tons and a length under 200 meters, the Mitsui Ocean Sakura will be compact enough to dock at a wide variety of ports. This includes remote island destinations such as Okinawa and Hokkaido, which were popular in the “Fly & Cruise” series on the Nippon Maru, as well as ports located within walking distance of major urban areas.

MOL Cruises also revealed that the ship will feature a variety of themed itineraries. These include one-night cruises, which have already proven popular among guests, along with voyages based on festivals, fireworks, music, and food.

For its debut season, the company has appointed senior staff with strong backgrounds in Japanese cruising. Satoshi Ninomiya, who previously served as captain of the Nippon Maru, will take command as one of the captains of the new ship. In the kitchen, executive chef Katsutoshi Nakayama, also with experience on the Nippon Maru, will oversee the dining experience.

Cruises said that it will continue to carry forward the “Omotenashi” spirit of hospitality developed on its earlier ships, including the Nippon Maru.

The Mitsui Ocean Sakura will join its sister ship, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which entered service in 2024, to enhance the MOL Group’s corporate value and achieve its Group Vision.

Reference: MOL

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