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Mitsui Osk Lines News

13 Mar 2024

MOL Takes Delivery of LNG-Powered Cerulean ACE Car Carrier

(Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of the LNG-fueled car carrier Cerulean ACE, built by Japanese shipyard Shin Kurushima Dockyard.The LNG-powered car carrier Cerulean Ace features an aerodynamics design - beveled top of bow - that reduces wind resistance by 20%, according to MOL.The breadth of the vessels was widened from 32 to 38 meters. The capacity has also been increased from about 6,400 to about 7,000 vehicles.The CERULEAN ACE is the 100th vessel MOL has ordered from the Shin Kurushima Dockyard Group.The vessel will transport cars…

12 Mar 2024

MOL Teams Up with Rio Tinto for Decarbonization of Maritime Transportation

(Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Rio Tinto have signed the partnership agreement to enhance collaboration on both safety and crew welfare initiative and decarbonization of maritime transportation.MOL and Rio Tinto have agreed to further collaborate on shipping decarbonization in addition to the existing commitment to the DOO program through a deal signed on January 24, 2024.The DOO program is a Rio Tinto initiative aimed at enhancing safety and improving crew welfare in the…

08 Mar 2024

MOL Installs Wind Measurement Device on RoRo Vessel in Fuel Savings Trial

(Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has installed a long-range wind condition measurement device on one of its RoRo vessels in a trial that aims to reduce fuel consumption and contribute to safe operations.MOL partnered with Metro Weather for a demonstration of Doppler LiDAR on Musashi Maru RoRO vessel on the route between Tokyo and Fukuoka.This is the first time in the world that a Doppler LiDAR has been installed on a large seagoing vessel, according to MOL.Using the Doppler LiDAR, MOL and Metro Weather will monitor real-time wind 3D conditions more than 10 km away from Musashi Maru.In addition…

06 Mar 2024

MOL and Petrobras Sign Cargo Transfer Vessels Deals

Sealoader 2 (Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Brazil’s state-owned energy giant Petrobras have signed a charter contract for cargo transfer vessel (CTV) SeaLoader 2, and agreed to start negotiations for a new CTV shipbuilding contract by the end of 2024.MOL signed the deal through its wholly owned subsidiary, SeaLoading Holding, which owns and operates CTVs.SeaLoading started a CTV agreement with Petrobras for SeaLoader 2 on a trial period in January 2022, and successfully completed more than 30 crude oil offloading operations from Petrobras' FPSOs located in the Santos Basin…

05 Mar 2024

MOL Signs Long-Term Charter with Tokyo Gas for LNG Carrier Newbuilding

Illustration (Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a long-term charter contract for a newbuilding LNG carrier with Tokyo LNG Tanker (TLT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas.This is the eighth contract, following a time charter contract for seven LNG carriers that were signed for TLT.The 174,000-cbm ship will be 294.9 meters long, with the bread of 46.4 meters.The vessel will be built at the Geoje Shipyard of Hanwha Ocean in South Korea, and is scheduled for delivery in 2026.It will be…

04 Mar 2024

MOL Wraps Up Fairfield Chemical Carriers Acquisition

MOL Chemical Tankers-operated chemical tanker Ensemble (Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has, through its subsidiary MOL Chemical Tankers, completed the acquisition of Fairfield Chemical Carriers, creating one of the world’s largest multi-segregated chemical tanker fleets.The acquisition, valued at $400 million, is based on a share transfer agreement signed at the end of September 2023, which has been approved by the relevant authorities under competition law.The transaction is in line with MOL’s plan to proactively invest in chemical tanker business…

19 Feb 2024

Brassavola Completes Maiden Ship-to-Ship LNG Bunkering Operation

Brassavola vessel (Credit: Seatrium)

Pavilion Energy, the charterer of Singapore’s recently delivered first membrane LNG bunker vessel Brassavola, has concluded its first Ship-to-Ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation.Pavilion Energy said on February 19, 2024, the bunkering operation to Rio Tinto chartered dual-fueled bulk carrier, Mount Api was successfully completed.Brassavola was recently delivered by Seatrium, to owner Indah Singa Maritime, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL).Seatrium Delivers Singapore’s…

14 Feb 2024

MOL Embarks on Liquid Hydrogen Transport Study

Rendering of the liquefied hydrogen carrier (Credit: HD KSOE)

Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) has signed non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Woodside Energy, HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Hyundai Glovis to jointly study the development of shipping solutions to enable bulk marine transportation of liquid hydrogen.Woodside Energy, HD KSOE and Hyundai Glovis have been studying liquid hydrogen transportation since 2022.In this project, the participating companies will study the technology, safety, construction…

07 Feb 2024

Kobe-Osaka Port Launches Demo of Hydrogen-Powered Crane

(Credit: MOL)

Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation has launched a project to demonstrate rubber-tired gantry (RTG) crane, which uses a hydrogen-powered engine to demonstrate decarbonization of advanced cargo handling machinery.The project is said to be the first in the world to convert RTG crane's diesel engine generator to a hydrogen engine at Hanshin Port’s Kobe International Container Terminal (KICT), operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).The initiative is led by the Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land…

06 Feb 2024

Mitsui OSK Rerouting All Vessels via Cape of Good Hope

Source: MOL

Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has rerouted all of its ships via the Cape of Good Hope due to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea region, CEO Takeshi Hashimoto told Reuters on Tuesday.Before the Red Sea disruptions, 2-3 ships used to pass through the Suez Canal daily...currently no ships of the company are passing through the canal, Hashimoto said.Global shipping companies are sailing around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, in turn reducing passage through the Suez Canal…

05 Feb 2024

MOL and JX to Develop Japan-Australia Cross Border CCS Value Chain

(Credit: MOL)

Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation (JX) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain between Japan and Australia, including CO2 marine transport.The MoU focuses on the establishment of a CCS value chain by capturing CO2 emitted from ENEOS refinery and nearby various industries in Japan, transporting it by CO2 carrier to the Port of Bonython in Australia, and…

02 Feb 2024

MOL to Supply FSRU for New Polish LNG Import Terminal

L to R: FSRU and LNG Carrier Concept (Credit: Gaz-System)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has been selected by Gaz-System as the preferred shipowner to time charter out a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for the planned LNG import terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk in Poland.Polish gas transmission system operator Gaz-System is the project developer and operator behind the future LNG terminal.This is Poland's first such FSRU and is a strategically important piece of energy infrastructure which will enhance the country's energy security.The FSRU is expected to be berthed at a mooring platform approximately 3km from the shore…

31 Jan 2024

Construction of CSOV for Taiwan’s Offshore Wind Market Kicks Off in Vietnam

TSS Cruiser CSOV (Credit: Damen)

The steel cutting ceremony for the new Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), being built by Damen for Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a joint venture between Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine, took place in Vietnam.The steel cutting ceremony for the CSOV was held on January 19, 2024 in Ha Long, just two months after the initial contract was signed.TSSM’s new CSOV will be named TSS Cruiser and will be delivered by Dutch shipbuilder Damen by late 2025.TSS Cruiser will be chartered to contractors supporting the offshore wind farms near the coast of Taiwan…

29 Jan 2024

Seatrium Delivers Singapore’s First Membrane LNG Bunker Vessel

Brassavola vessel (Credit: Seatrium)

Seatrium has delivered Brassavola, Singapore’s first membrane LNG bunker vessel built locally by the group, to owner Indah Singa Maritime, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL).Following delivery, Brassavola will be chartered by Pavilion Energy to supply LNG bunker in the Port of Singapore.The vessel, which is expected to start operations in February 2024, will also be deployed by TotalEnergies Marine Fuels to serve its customers under a long-term agreement with Pavilion Energy.Measuring 116.5 meters in length and 22 meters in width…

05 Jan 2024

MOL Signs Charter Contract with Yara for Ammonia Carrier

Ammonia carrier Green Pioneer (Credit: MOL)

Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has signed a time charter contract for the ammonia carrier Green Pioneer with Yara Clean Ammonia Switzerland, a group company of Yara International.The vessel was delivered on December 25,2023 and is expected to be engaged in the transportation of ammonia, mainly in the Pacific region.Ammonia is now mainly used as a raw material for fertilizers, but it is expected to see a significant increase in demand in the future as a next-generation clean energy that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned…

29 Dec 2023

Container Lines Continue to Divert from Suez Canal

© Kalyakan / Adobe Stock

Hapag-Lloyd will continue to divert its vessels around the Suez Canal for security reasons, a spokesperson for the German container shipper said on Friday, adding a further assessment would be made on January 2.Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Nippon Yusen, Japan's largest shipping companies, also said their vessels with links to Israel were avoiding the Red Sea area. Both companies said they were monitoring the situation.Shipping companies including Hapag-Lloyd and Denmark's Maersk earlier…

28 Dec 2023

Red Sea Shipping Workarounds Add Costs, Delays for Suppliers

© EvrenKalinbacak / Adobe Stock

Toymaker Basic Fun's team that oversees ocean shipments of Tonka trucks and Care Bears for Walmart and other retailers is racing to reroute cargo away from the Suez Canal following militant attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.Suppliers for the likes of IKEA, Home Depot, Amazon and retailers around the world are doing the same as businesses grapple with the biggest shipping upheaval since the COVID-19 pandemic threw global supply chains into disarray, sources in the logistics industry said.Florida-based Basic Fun usually ships all Europe-bound toys from its China factories via the Suez Canal…

22 Dec 2023

Lack of Arctic Tankers Puts Russia's LNG Development Dreams on Ice

© KKF / Adobe Stock

Russia is hoping its shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will offset a sharp fall in pipeline gas exports to Europe, but a shortage of gas tankers and sanctions hold back its plans, analysts and industry sources said.Russia wants to boost its share of the LNG market to 20% by 2030 from 8% now, but a force majeure declaration by top producer Novatek over LNG supplies from its future Arctic LNG 2 project due to sanctions shows the hurdles it faces.Novatek's announcement comes after the United States last month imposed sanctions on Arctic LNG 2…

22 Dec 2023

MOL Gets ClassNK Blessing for Ammonia FSRU Design

Credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has been awarded an approval in principle (AiP) by ClassNK for a design of Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) for ammonia.The ammonia FSRU has been jointly developed by MOL and MHI Group’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.Obtains AiP for Ammonia FSRU Design - A Step Toward Safe Utilization of Ammonia for DecarbonizingThe AiP gives MOL further assurances in its design and development of ammonia FSRU, the technology, which enables a large scale of storage and distribution of seaborn ammonia.Introducing the ammonia FSRU concept…

19 Dec 2023

MOL to Expand Fleet With 5 New LNG-fueled Capesize Bulkers

(Credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines)

Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has decided to expand its fleet with the additional five newbuilding dual-fueled Capesize bulkers, which can burn either LNG or conventional marine fuel oil.Two of the vessels will be ordered to Nihon Shipyard and built by Imabari Shipbuilding, while there remaining three will be built by Chinese CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding.The vessels are slated for delivery from 2026 to 2027, according to MOL. Including these five vessels, MOL will add a total of 13 LNG-fueled Capesize bulkers in their fleet.

15 Dec 2023

MOL First Shipping Company to Issue 'Blue Bonds'

An examples of potential uses of the bonds’ proceeds include Wind Hunter, the ultimate zero emission ship. Image courtesy MOL

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has decided to issue “blue bonds” through a public offering in Japan’s domestic market in January 2024, reportedly the world’s first blue bonds in the shipping industry, which refer to the guidance provided by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and other organizations.The Blue Bond Framework developed for the issuance of the bonds will ensure that all uses of the bonds’ proceeds will contribute to a sustainable blue economy, and the bonds received the highest rating of “Blue1(F)” from the Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.

11 Dec 2023

Nations and Industry Partners Respond to Green Shipping Challenge

Source: Yara

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are co-leading an international initiative to accelerate reduction of emissions from the shipping sector, and on December 1, during COP28, they chaired a new round of announcements under that initiative, the Green Shipping Challenge.Various countries and organizations proposed measures to reduce emissions from shipping. This year’s announcements include:• Amazon: Amazon and other…

24 Nov 2023

Damen Wins Order to Build Vessel for Taiwan Offshore Wind Market

Credit: MOL

Japan-based Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, (MOL)  and Taiwan-based Ta Tong Marine Co. have through their joint venture Ta San Shang Marine Co. Ltd. (TSSM), signed a deal with the Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards for the construction of a new service operation vessel (SOV).As TSSM's second Taiwan-flagged SOV, following Asia's first, the TSS Pioneer, which was delivered in 2022, the vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025 in Vietnam. The new CSOV, which will be methanol-ready will support offshore wind farms in Taiwan…

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