MOL-operating Coal Carrier Soma Maru Received 'Bulk Ship of the Year'
- New Ship Type Commended for Versatility and Environmental Performance at IBJ Awards 2014 -

December 04, 2014

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced that the Soma Maru, the coal carrier which serves for Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (President: Makoto Kaiwa; headquarters: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture), was named the "Bulk Ship of the Year" at the IBJ Awards 2014 held in Rotterdam on November 17.

Held annually by the U.K.-based maritime industry magazine "International Bulk Journal", The IBJ Awards recognize and honor companies and organizations in various fields for their contributions to the global bulk carrier industry.

The Soma Maru was jointly developed by Sanoyas Shipyard (President: Takashi Ueda; headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka) and MOL, and is a state-of-the-art coal carrier with a wide-beam/shallow-draft design, various safety features and energy-saving specifications. The vessel was singled out for its versatility and environmental performance.

MOL continually strives to be a worldwide leader in the safe, reliable transportation of natural resources and energy.