MOL, Kansai Electric Power Sign Deals to Build Charter 2 LNG Carriers

News Release Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (Head Office) July 6, 2012

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TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the signing of a long-term
contract for two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with Kansai Electric
Power Inc. (President: Makoto Yagi). At the same time, MOL concluded contracts
to build the ships Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (President: Satoshi Hasegawa)
and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (President: Hideaki Omiya).
 
The ships are slated for launching
in 2016 and 2017. MOL will manage and operate the vessels, with which transport
LNG for Kansai Electric Power.
 
The first vessel is a Moss-type
carrier with a 164,700m3 cargo tank capacity, based on a new design
from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It will be the largest ship in its class that
can pass through the expanded Panama Canal which is scheduled for completion in
2014, while maintaining a hull size allowing it to call at major LNG terminals
around the world.
 
The second vessel has a
155,300m3-class cargo tank capacity, and is one of the Sayaendo
series carriers developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, featuring a continuous
cover over its four Moss-type spherical tanks. The peapod-shaped continuous
cover is integrated with the ship’s hull, achieving weight reduction while
maintaining overall hull rigidity. This will increase fuel
efficiency.
 
Both vessels adopt a new steam
turbine engine that reuses steam for heating. This will also reduce fuel
consumption. They also feature an advanced heat insulation system that offers
the lowest LNG vaporization rate – 0.08% – of any LNG carrier in the world. Its
environment-friendly, economically-advanced design also effectively controls
surplus boil-off gas.
 
“Offering transport solutions with a
lower environmental burden” is one of the key environmental strategies in MOL’s
midterm management plan “GEAR UP! MOL”. The company uses its decades of
experience and know-how as the world’s leading LNG carrier owner and management
company and works aggressively to provide reliable LNG transport services
tailored to customer needs.
 
 
[Outlines of newbuilding LNG
carriers]
<1st
vessel>
(1) Length: About 293.0 m
(2) Breath: 48.90 m
(3) Draft: 11.92 m
(4) LNG tank: Stretched Moss-type independent spherical
type
(5) Cargo tank capacity: 164,700
m3
(6) Capacity: about 79,100
MT
(7) Main engine: Reheat steam
turbine system
(8) Speed: 19.5 knots
(9) Shipyard: Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, Ltd.
(10) Ship management company: Mitsui
O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(11) Launch year: 2016
(12) Ship name: TBD 
 
<2nd
vessel>
(1) Length: About 288.0 m
(2) Breath: 48.94 m
(3) Draft: 11.55 m
(4) LNG tank: Stretched Moss-type independent spherical
type
(5) Cargo tank capacity: 155,300
m3
(6) Capacity: about 75,000
MT
(7) Main engine: Reheat steam
turbine system
(8) Speed: 19.5 knots
(9) Shipyard: Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd.
(10) Ship management company: Mitsui
O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(11) Launch year: 2017
(12) Ship name: TBD 
 
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