Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. signed a long-term contract for two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with Kansai Electric Power Inc. (President: Makoto Yagi). At the same time, MOL concluded contracts to build the ships Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (President: Satoshi Hasegawa) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (President: Hideaki Omiya). The ships are slated for launching in 2016 and 2017. MOL will manage and operate the vessels, with which transport LNG for Kansai Electric Power. The first vessel is a Moss-type carrier with a 164,700m3 cargo tank capacity, based on a new design from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It will be the largest ship in its class that can pass through the expanded Panama Canal which is scheduled for completion in 2014…