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Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co News

20 Dec 2018

Great Ships of 2018: #4 - Beluga Ace

Image: MOL

Beluga Ace: New Design Car Carrier with Six Liftable DecksBeluga Ace, the first vessel of next-generation FLEXIE series car carrier built by the Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., was delivered to Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) in March 2018. The space onboard was rearchitected using the design concept. The six liftable decks, compared with two on conventional car carriers, allow loading of vehicles with different heights. As a result, loading efficiency was improved by 6.25% from the conventional type of car carrier…

15 Mar 2018

MOL Announced Delivery of Beluga Ace Car Carrier

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has taken delivery of the first car carrier of the next-generation “FLEXIE” series, the Beluga Ace, which was built at the Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.  The vessel features six liftable decks, compared with two on conventional car carriers. This allows the Beluga Ace to more effectively meet demand for more diversified vehicle and high and heavy cargo transport, MOL said. The hull design is a complete departure from current car carriers, MOL said. A rounded bow shape will minimize wind resistance and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 2 percent compared to today's car carriers. The new shape is the result of joint research by MOL, MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. and Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc.

16 Jan 2018

Imabari to Acquire Minaminippon Shipbuilding

Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has reached an initial agreement to acquire compatriot Japanese shipbuilder Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The takeover, which remains subject to further discussions before the deal is concluded, would take effect April 1, 2018. Minaminippon’s present shareholders include Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (25 percent) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (24 percent).

24 Mar 2017

EGCS Ready Notation for MOL Ships

Image: ClassNK

ClassNK issued EGCSR-F (Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Ready Full) notations to nine ships operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., meaning that the ship fulfills requirement for SOx scrubber retrofitting. Following discussions on the implementation schedule of MARPOL Annex VI SOX/PM regulations at MEPC70 in October last year, all ships operating outside Emission Control Areas (ECA) will be required to limit sulfur emission levels to under 0.50% from 1 January 2020. In order to enable the safe and secure retrofitting of SOx scrubbers as part of efforts to meet the incoming SOx emission limits…

07 Jun 2016

MOL Launches Scrubber Technology Study

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. announced that it has entered into a joint study to equip in-service vessels with SOX scrubber system, to ensure compliance with upcoming international environmental regulations. The scrubbers eliminate sulfur dioxide (SOX) from exhaust gas, allowing vessels to meet international treaty standards for SOX emissions without using low-sulfur fuel. Also participating in the project are Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. , Sanwa Dock Co. Ltd., and Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. The companies plan to address the SOX emissions issue in advance of a revised international treaty that places stronger restrictions on exhaust emissions from vessels.

25 Apr 2016

Japan, Korea Welcome Methanol-fueled Tankers

Photo: MAN Diesel & Turbo

Starting on April 18, Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd. (WFS), Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest), Westfal-Larsen Management (WL), and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) attended the traditional ship naming ceremonies and took delivery of the first Korean and Japanese built methanol-fueled ocean tankers, the Lindanger, Mari Jone and Taranaki Sun. Hyundai Mipo Dockyard hosted the Korean ship naming ceremony, while Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. hosted the Japanese ceremony; where all three of these 50,000 dead weight tonne vessels were built.

12 Apr 2016

First Methanol-powered Tankers Due for Delivery

Photo: Methanex Corporation

Starting in April, Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd. (WFS), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Westfal-Larsen Management (WL), and Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest) will welcome innovative, clean-burning, fuel-efficient vessels to the sea. These seven 50,000 dead weight tonne vessels are built with the first-of-its kind MAN B&W ME-LGI 2-stroke dual fuel engines that can run on methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel oil, or gas oil. This ship technology will significantly reduce emissions while giving ship owners a viable, efficient and convenient fuel alternative.

02 Oct 2015

Japan’s First ME-GI Engine Passes Factory Tests

FAT attendees pictured in front of the ME-GI engine at MES’s Tamano Works (Photo: MAN Diesel & Turbo)

The factory acceptance test (FAT) of the first ME-GI engine in Japan recently took place at the Tamano Works of Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES), overseen by classification society DNV GL. The engine, developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo, is the first of two 8S70ME-C8.2-GI units for delivery to U.S. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine for installation aboard two 2,400-teu ConRo ships for Crowley Maritime Corporation. VT Halter laid keels for the new vessels in January and August, respectively.

01 Jul 2015

First ME-LGI Engine Test Deemed a Success

ME-LGI demonstration at the Tamano works (Photo: MAN Diesel & Turbo)

MAN Diesel & Turbo licensee Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) recently demonstrated the liquid-gas-injection concept in Japan on 17 June, 2015 using the very first ME-LGI engine to ever be commercially produced. The engine, with the type designation 7S50ME-B9.3-LGI, is bound for a vessel currently under construction by Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Ole Grøne, Senior Vice President – Low Speed Promotion & Sales – MAN Diesel & Turbo described the event as a significant milestone in the development of Diesel technology.

24 Apr 2015

MOL Orders Four Car Carriers

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has signed a contract covering construction of four next-generation "FLEXIE" car carriers at Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. To be delivered in 2017 and 2018, the ships will serve on on MOL's worldwide car carrier services and will offer increased capacity and a new deck design for more flexible loading. Deck construction of the newly-ordered car carriers will be substantially altered to change the number of decks from the current 12 to 14. Furthermore, the number of liftable decks will be increased from two to six. This means two adjustable decks can be placed between two fixed decks. The newly designed liftable decks will offer greater flexibility in accommodating vehicles of different heights…

30 Mar 2015

MAN Demonstrates Two-Stroke Methanol Engine Concept

 The demonstration of the ME-LGI concept engine at MAN's Diesel Research Centre in Copenhagen (Image courtesy of MAN Diesel & Turbo)

MAN Diesel & Turbo successfully demonstrated its ME-LGI concept engine in front of customers and partners at its Diesel Research Center in Copenhagen on March 17th, the company announced today. “A number of years ago we identified the need to develop an engine that could run on more environmentally-friendly, competitively-priced fuels as an alternative to MDO/MGO," said Vice President and Head of R&D, Søren H. Jensen. "We believe the ability of the ME-LGI engine to run on sulfur-free fuels offers great potential. Methanol carriers have already operated at sea for many years.

19 Feb 2014

MOL Sign Methanol Carrier Deal with AMPCO

AMPCO employees: Image courtesy of AMPCO

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) say they have received a newbuilding charter contract for two methanol carriers from Atlantic Methanol Production Company LLC (AMPCO) based on an offer tendered in 2013. The vessels will be built at Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The ships will operate under a long-term charter and the new contract will play a vital role in MOL's strategy of strengthening long-term business. AMPCO, based in Equatorial Guinea, is a leading methanol producer…

07 Mar 2011

Newbuilding Bulker under Construction Will Be 1st Ship to Use Silicon Anti-fouling Paint

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the first use of a new silicon-based anti-fouling paint for a 38,000-class bulker now under construction at the Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Shitanoe Works (Usuki-shi, Oita Prefecture). When completed, the new vessel will sail under a long-term charter with Doun Kisen Co., Ltd. (Namikata-cho, Ehime Prefecture). This new fluoropolymer foul release (*1) coating, called “Intersleek900,” was developed by International Paint Ltd.

27 Jan 2009

Untested Brackets Tied to Fatal Accident

According to a report from the Yomiuri Shimbun, a 95 ft long, 3 ft wide iron gangway, which was connected to a car carrier that was under construction, collapsed at the Ozai Shipyard of Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co. on Jan. 23, killing two and injuring 24 others on the gangway. The load bearing capacity of the brackets on the gangway were never tested according to The Yomiuri Shimbun. (Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

09 Nov 2006

Minaminippon Shipbuilding Plans Shipyard in Oita

Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co. said Thursday it will open by April 2008 a shipyard able to build 100,000-ton tankers on land to be purchased in Oita Prefecture's waterfront industrial belt. The Oita Prefecture builder of tankers and auto carriers will also build a repair dock at the new facility and expand an existing shipyard elsewhere in Oita in view of growing shipping activity worldwide, company officials said, adding it will spend 14 billion yen on the capital investment. It will be the first shipyard built in Japan since 2000, when Imabari Shipbuilding Co. completed a major facility in Ehime Prefecture. Minaminippon's project is set to raise the company's output to eight vessels per year by fiscal 2011 through March 2012 from the current five.

10 Nov 2006

Shipyard to be Built in Oita

Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co said it will open by April 2008 a shipyard able to build 100,000-ton tankers on land to be purchased in Oita Prefecture's waterfront industrial belt. The Oita Prefecture builder of tankers and auto carriers will also build a repair dock at the new facility and expand an existing shipyard elsewhere in Oita in view of growing shipping activity worldwide, company officials said, adding it will spend 14 billion yen on the capital investment. Source: Kyodo News.