August 28, 2002

MOL to Launch Two New 150-Ton Middle Heavylifters

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President, Kunio Suzuki) today announced plans to launch two new "middle heavylifters," with crane capacity of 150 K/T. With these new ships, the total fleet of MOL-operated heavylifters will be 5 vessels, which will contribute to meeting the diversified transport needs of plant cargoes around the world.

MOL ordered the new ships from Shin-Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd., for delivery in October 2003 and January 2004. Both vessels are 12,000 DWT and have 'tween decks, two long hatches, two box-shaped holds, and two 75-ton capacity cranes. These multi-purpose vessels will be suitable for lifting heavy, lengthy cargoes, steel products, plywood, and other materials, and will serve Asian routes.

The main purpose of the ships will be to transport industrial plant equipment in Asia, where MOL forecasts an increase in cargo volume in the near future, especially during the construction of a Shinkansen-type "bullet train" system in Taiwan. The large cranes and long hatch openings will allow the ships to handle heavy industrial equipment, railroad cars, and other lengthy cargoes safely and surely.

MOL is taking an active role in the design and construction of these ships, developing the cranes on the vessels in cooperation with shipbuilder and crane manufacturer, based on the twin-crane design used on conventional vessels to lift heavy cargo by adjusting the crane elevation angle. The cranes are placed off center to the port to ensure ample reach. Although the cranes are designed for heavy cargo, they also offer the same speedy loading and discharging as cranes on conventional vessels.

MOL has applied for patents on the equipping of these unique, innovative cranes, which are adaptable to a wide range of uses and offer high efficiency at a low cost.

150-Ton Middle Heavylifters'Image