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LS tanker on slipway and sign "KURE SHIPYARD"
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2.
MS bow and name of tanker
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3.
CU star on bow
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CU name of tanker "Nisseki Maru" and PAN down to waterline
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5.
CU bow and PAN down to show shape
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6.
LS tug towing tanker
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7.
MS bow moving slowly against background
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MS side of ship moving
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9.
MS tug nudging side of tanker and PAN to show tanker away from slipway
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Initials BB/1313 PS/14.44



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The world's largest tanker--the 372,400-ton "Nisseki Maru"--was launched in Kure, Japan, yesterday (Tuesday). Built by the Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries yard for the Tokyo Tanker Company, the "Nisseki Maru" will be completed in September for use on the Japan-Persian Gulf route--making an estimated ten trips per year.

Built at a cost of 9,600 million yen (II million sterling- 26,400,000 dollars), the tanker is 1,132 feet (347 metres) long, 178 feet (54.5 metres) wide. Powered by a 40,000 horsepower turbine, it can cruise at a speed of 14 1/2 knots.

Its length is roughly the equivalent to the height of a 50-storey building, while its width is that of two soccer fields.

In spite of its huge size, automation is such in the running of the tanker, that it will require a crew of only 35--of which four will be stewardesses.

The "Nisseki Maru" will not hold the title of world's largest tanker for long--already the same shipyard is building a 447,000-ton mammoth for London-based Kashmiri Ravi Tikkoo of Globtik Tankers Ltd. This one will be ready in February 1973--and Mr. Tikkoo also has on order its twin for delivery in March 1974.

The largest tanker afloat prior to yesterday's launching, was the 326,000-ton "Universe Ireland" owned by American Dan Ludwig--with Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos running well behind.