Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the world’s first use of highly ductile steel plate NSafe-Hull, developed by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation on a merchant vessel. The ship featuring this new safety-enhancing feature, a large-size bulk carrier, was launched on August 2. The NSafe-Hull’s highly ductile steel reportedly absorbs side impact to the hull three times more effectively than conventional steel plate, reducing the risk of cracks in the hull and significantly increasing the safety of the vessel, MOL said.