Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has contracted a private Chinese yard, Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering, for the construction of a module carrier that will serve the Japanese offshore wind sector.
The 13,000 dwt newbuild is set for delivery in the spring of 2026 under a contract with JFE Engineering to ship offshore wind turbine foundations to construction sites in Japan. Financial terms have not been revealed.
The vessel will be about 150 m long and operated by MOL Coastal Shipping under the management of MOL Drybulk, which currently also operates a 3,700 dwt module carrier on a time charter in waters off the coast of Asia.
The Japanese shipping giant said it expects domestic demand for wind turbine components to increase in a variety of scenarios. The company has been gradually growing its offshore wind business in Asia with investments in several segments, including crew transfer vessels and construction service operation units.
The latest newbuild will be the first coastal module carrier in Japan and fit to carry monopiles, towers, blades, nacelles, and floating foundations, MOL said.
