On 10th September 2011 the MV Emily Manx, an Isle of Man registered ship, sailed into Ishinomaki port, Japan and its arrival was heralded by the port and made news in two Japanese newspapers. The vessel, carrying coal, was the first to call into Ishinomaki following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku district of the Country on 11 March 2011. The Port of Ishinomaki lies on the north eastern shores of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, on the Kitakami River estuary. The MV Emily Manx, owned by local shipowner Lars Ugland, sailed from Indonesia on 30th August and its first port of call was Sendai where it discharged about 20,000mt of cargo for the factory of the Nippon Paper Group, Inc. She then sailed to Ishinomaki and discharged about 24,000mt of coal intended as fuel for the boilers to generate power for the main paper machine to re-produce paper for books. Ten executive officers from Nippon Paper Group, including their Factory Director Mr Kurata, welcomed the MV Emily Manx when she berthed at Ishinomaki. Mr Kurata said ‘We are gradually progressing and we will continue to work towards recovery from the earthquake.’ He thanked the Master of the MV Emily Manx and presented him with Japanese Sake made in Ishinomaki to commemorate the occasion. The arrival was also covered by two Japanese newspapers: the Kahoku Shinbun; and the Ishinomaki Hibi Shinbun. Lars Ugland, CEO of LTU (Isle of Man) Ltd, said: ‘We are delighted that our ship, the Emily Manx, has been able to carry coal to this port which was devastated by the events in March to help towards its recovery. We are proud to have been involved and to have the opportunity to fly the Manx ensign in Japan.’ Alex Downie OBE, MLC, Political Member for Isle of Man Ship Registry, said: ‘We are proud to be associated with Lars T Ugland Shipping and the reputational value that this Company brings to the Isle of Man. The presence of an Isle of Man flag continues to further develop good relations between ourselves and Japan, a country of which we have had a long standing association.’ Dick Welsh, Director, Isle of Man Ship Registry, said: ‘This is a good news story for the Isle of Man. It shows the strength and depth of our registered merchant fleet and what they can achieve around the world.’ Ends