May 31, 2005


MOL, Tokyo Gas Subsidiary Make Deal for New LNG Carrier


TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced that the company has reached a basic agreement for joint ownership of a new MOSS-type 145,000m3 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier with Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (Tokyo LNG Tanker :70%, MOL:30%). The company also announced a contract with Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation to construct the new vessel, which is slated for completion in March 2008.

With the latest agreement, MOL will manage and operate four carriers serving the Tokyo Gas LNG transport project. MOL's abundant expertise and advanced technology in LNG transport were key factors in winning this new contract.

MOL, which entered the field of LNG transport in 1983, shipping gas from Indonesia to Japan, now participates in 26 projects around the world. Including those under construction, MOL owns and/or operates a total of 63 LNG carriers.

As the world leader in LNG, MOL continues its efforts to ensure safe and stable transport of this vital energy source in the future.

MOL-operated LNG Carriers Serving Tokyo Gas
Names Launch date Shipowners
First Energy Frontier September 16, 2003 Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd.
Second Energy Advance March 30, 2005 Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd.
Toho LNG Shipping Co., Ltd.
Third TBN December 2006 (plan) Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Fourth
(latest contract)
TBN March 2008 (plan) Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd
The above four carriers have the same cargo capacity of 145,000 m3 . MOL is in charge of management and operations of the ships, which sail under 20-year contracts. The shipbuilder for all the vessels is Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation.