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November 19, 2002
MOL Decides to Order Eight Large-Size Car
Carriers
TOKYO|Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President,
Kunio Suzuki) today announced plans to order
eight large-size car carriers that will be
completed in 2005 and 2006.
MOL currently operates about 60 car carriers
including owned ships, maru ships, and long-term
chartered ships, offering car transport services
on a global scale. To upgrade the fleet in
response to changing market needs, MOL plans
an ongoing program to replace older vessels
with advanced new ships in turns. Between
2003 and 2006, the company will launch 14
new car carriers, including six vessels with
a capacity of 6,400 units already ordered,
which will join the fleet between March 2003
and April 2004.
The eight carriers to be ordered will offer
the most advanced environment-friendly systems,
as well as other features to maximize efficiency
in loading/unloading and operational safety,
such as movable jumping slopes. In addition,
their decks will have sufficient headroom
to accommodate todayfs taller vehicles.
Like the six vessels already ordered, they
will have a service speed of 20 knots, ramps
that can accommodate up to 100 tons, and
two-layer adjustable decks.
MOL is now negotiating final specifications
and prices with Japanese shipyards, and will
make final decisions on orders in the near
future.
Specifications of MOLfs New Car Carriers:
| Launch period: |
Year 2005 - 2006 (TBD) |
| Shipbuilding companies: |
Not determined yet |
| Capacity: |
6,400 units (standard passenger cars) |
| Others: |
Two-layer adjustable decks, entire cargo
space can accommodate taller vehicles, ramp
strength 100 tons, speed 20 knots |
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