By
Rebecca Gibson |
Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding aims to grow its presence in the cruise shipbuilding industry after successfully completing and delivering guntû for Setouchi Cruise in 2017.
Known for constructing large vessels such as tankers and bulk carriers, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding worked with Japanese architect Yasushi Horibe to design and construct the 81.2-metre-long vessel, which is 13.75 metres wide and has a moulded depth of 4.4 metres and draft of 2.4 metres.
Designed to be as environmentally friendly and as quiet as possible, guntû has a sound-proofed engine room with an electric propulsion system that comprises a pair of water-cooled three-phase induction motors and a generator from Nishishiba Electric Co, as well as a trio of main diesel engines from Daihatsu Diesel Mfg Co. Meanwhile, the hull was designed using computational fluid dynamics to optimise operational efficiency by ensuring it only generates small waves. Two shaft rudders and controllable-pitch propellers from Nakashima Propellers make it easy for the captain to manoeuvre guntû in Japan’s shallow Seto inland sea.
guntû has Japanese-style interiors with wood, stone tiles, glass and other materials that ‘promote a feeling of tranquillity’ for guests. The vessel’s hull has been shaped to reflect the changing vistas of Japan’s Seto inland sea, while its gabled roof is designed to give the vessel the appearance of typical Ryokans (hotel or inn) that line the shores of the Setouchi Region. The hull, superstructure and gabled roof are also silver, so they ‘melt in the scenery’ that surrounds the Seto inland sea.
Onboard highlights include a main dining room, sushi bar, café bar and lounge on the top deck, which will offer menus created by Kenzo Sato, head chef at Tokyo’s Shigeyoshi restaurant. Two other decks feature 19 passenger cabins, which have alder-clad walls and ceilings, flooring made from ash and sliding glass doors to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection to the ship’s deck. Most cabins have balconies, and some suites have open-air baths. The lowest deck incorporates crew accommodation and the engine room.
“guntû is a little hotel on an inland sea that provides an uncompromising level of luxury in harmony with nature,” said Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.
guntû provides three-night roundtrips from the Bella Vista Marina in Onomichi City, taking guests to viewpoints along the inland sea. Passengers can use the vessel’s floating pier to take tenders to islands in the inland sea.