MOL Bulker is the First Built with Safer Hull
Bulk carrier of the type featuring the NSafe-Hull
Portions in red and yellow are built with NSafe-Hull highly ductile steel
NSafe-Hull sections in red
Ship side collision (schematic)
Bulk carrier under MOL’s operation is world's first to adopt highly ductile steel plate to ensure superior collision safety
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.
Construction of the new bulkship required a total of about 3,000 tons of NSafe-Hull for sections such as the side plates of cargo holds and fuel tanks, where hull strength is especially critical. According to MOL, improved puncture resistance helps to prevent flooding, protects cargo and prevents environmental damage from oil leakage.
Vessel particulars
Length: 299.94 m
Breadth: 50 m
Draft: 24.7 m
Deadweight tonnage: 206,600 MT
Shipyard: Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, Saijo Shipyard
Launched: August 2, 2014
mol.co.jp
