MOL takes the gloves off
MOL will build four capesize bulkers and two very large crude carrier (VLCC) tankers which will use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their main fuel.
The Japanese company has signed a deal for the construction of four 210,000 dwt-class capesize bulkers with CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, China. It is the first time that MOL has placed an order for a newbuilding from this shipyard. The new ships will be delivered in succession from 2025 through 2026.
MOL has also concluded a contract for the construction of two 309,000 dwt-class VLCCs with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The newly ordered VLCC will be built by Dalian Cosco KHI Ship Engineering, China, which is jointly operated by KHI and China Cosco Shipping. It is the first LNG-fuelled VLCC to be ordered from a Japanese tanker operator. Delivery is also set from 2025 to 2026.
In June 2021, the MOL Group formulated its aim to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. It plans to expand its fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels to about 90 by 2030. (cd)