MOL Orders 4 Bunker Saving Car Carriers

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday April 27, 2015

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) Thursday announced it has ordered four new, energy-efficient car carriers from Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

The next generation "Flexie" car carriers will feature an electronically-controlled diesel engine with Low Load Optimisation (LLO) tuning and Exhaust Gas Bypass (EGB) technology.

In addition, the vessels will harness a waste heat energy recovery system for its generator engines and electric power consumption reduction technology.

MOL also said the hull design is being optimised for low-speed operation using analysis of data garnered from existing carriers, and wind reduction strategies from its Senpaku ISHIN research and development project will be used to reduce drag.

"The new ships' reduced susceptibility to wind resistance will improve fuel efficiency in comparison with existing vessels and significantly reduce their impact on the environment," said MOL.

The 200 metre-long ships will have capacity for 6,800 standard passenger units.

Delivery of the four ships is scheduled for 2017 and 2018, when they will enter service for MOL's global car carrying business.

"MOL has taken an aggressive, ongoing approach to developing innovative next-generation car carriers," said MOL, pointing to the 2012 launch of its hybrid newbuild car carrier, Emerald Ace.

Late last year, MOL President Koichi Muto said evolving environmental regulations in the shipping industry present a business opportunity, and emphasised MOL's Senpaku ISHIN project as one of the company's moves towards seizing that opportunity.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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