Mitsui & Co., Ltd., 9,794 GT, launched in 1939 With its sister ship the Ayatosan Maru, this freighter, designed for Mitsui's Far East~ New York express service, was notable for being the most powerful and modern freighter of its time. After less than two years in commercial service, it donned battle dress as an Army transport. Its first and final military role came in December 1941, when in a convoy of 21 ships, it participated in Malay Peninsula landing operations. The ship's brief life came to an end on December 12, 1941 off Kota Bahru, when it was torpedoed by a Dutch submarine, caught fire, and was left adrift.