LNG Carrier for Yamal LNG Project Named LNG MERAK
-The second LNG carrier out of four built in China for the project-

January 09, 2020

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that on 8 January, a naming ceremony for a LNG carrier, jointly ordered by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (China COSCO Shipping), was held at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (Hudong)

The "LNG MERAK" is the second of four newbuilding LNG Carriers for the Yamal LNG Project announced at the end of June, 2017(*1), and the sister vessel of the "LNG DUBHE"(*2) which was delivered at the end of last October in the same shipyard. LNG MERAK will be engaged in the transport of the Project's LNG from transshipment terminals in Europe to Asia LNG terminals.

MOL has been operating 11 LNG carriers built in China for other projects(*4), and LNG MERAK will be the 12th LNG carrier built in China to join our fleet. The Yamal LNG plant has been producing LNG over nameplate production capacity and over 25 million tons of LNG have now been shipped since the start-up of Train 1 in December 2017, and has cumulatively dispatched more than 340 cargoes. By taking advantage of close cooperation with Hudong and our combined experience, construction of the LNG MERAK processed smoothly. LNG MERAK will contribute to stable and safe LNG transportation from the project to the end-users' markets.

MOL is proactive in providing value-added transport services to customers worldwide, utilizing its strong relationship with China COSCO Shipping and Hudong, and leveraging its knowledge and experience in international cooperative works.

LNG MERAK Specifications:

(1) Length: 295.0 m
(2) Breadth: 45.00 m
(3) Draft: 11.50 m
(4) LNG tank: Membrane type
(5) Cargo tank capacity: 174,000 m³
(6) Shipyard: Hudong
(7) Ship management company: MOL LNG Transport (Europe) Ltd.
(8) Ownership: MOL 50%/China COSCO Shipping 50%

(*1) For details, please refer to the 29 June, 2017 press release:
MOL Signs Long-term Charter Contract of 4 LNG Carriers for Russia Yamal LNG Project

(*2) For details, please refer to the 25 September, 2019 press release:
LNG Carrier for Yamal LNG Project Named LNG DUBHE -The first LNG carrier out of four built in China for the project-

(*3) For details, please refer to the 27 November, 2018 press release:
Yamal LNG Project Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier "Vladimir Rusanov" Completes First Ship-to-Ship Transfer Operation at Norway - Key Step in Utilization of Ice Breaking Vessel for Ship to Ship Operation in LNG Transportation Field -
Ship-to-ship Transfer Operation is planned to be carried out this Winter again, although the location of the operation has yet to be decided.

(*4) For details, please refer to following press releases:
3 March, 2010 press release:
MOL Signs a Contract for Long-term Charters of LNG vessels by ExxonMobil
30 April, 2013 press release:
MOL's Participation in China FOB Transportation Project