Top Page > Press Release 2007 > MOL to Expand Bulkship Fleet with 60 Vessels

MOL to Expand Bulkship Fleet with 60 Vessels

April 12, 2007

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced plans to expand its bulkship fleet by 60 vessels from April 2007 to the first half of 2012.

The growth strategies in the company's midterm management plan MOL ADVANCE call for a concentration of management resources on growing fields in the ocean shipping industry. Ocean cargo trade in dry bulk cargo is expected to grow about 3% growth annually, and as trade diversifies, cargo will have to be transported longer distances. In addition, efforts to eliminate aging vessels will rapidly accelerate. Another factor will be the rapid expansion of domestic coastal transport in China and India, which is forecast to grow by 15% every year, particularly in coal and grain. In light of these conditions, MOL expects a firm supply and demand situation for bulk carriers, and decided on this fleet expansion initiative.

[Outline]

Schedule - From April 2007 to the first half of 2012

Small Handy Type 24-37 (24,000 - 37,000 DW tons) : 20 ships
Handy Max Type 50-58 (50,000 - 58,000 DW tons) : 35 ships
Panamax Type 76-82 (76,000 - 82,000 DW tons) : 5 ships
Total : 60 ships

No. of vessels in operation (Small Handy + Handy Max + Panamax )

  • as of March 31, 2007 : 70 ships
  • as of March 31, 2013 : About 110 ships

[Background]

There are about 2,700 Small Handy bulkers and 1,500 Handy Max vessels around the world. More than half of the Small Handy vessels and more than 20% of the Handy Max ships are over 20 years old. The movement to eliminate these aged vessels has accelerated because of concerns about safe operation.