Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the signing of a long-term charter contract for a newbuilding LNG carrier with a vessel operation management company funded by JERA Co., Inc. (JERA)
This is the seventh contract, following a time charter contract for sixth LNG carrier (Note) that were signed for JERA. The vessel will be built at the Geoje Shipyard of SAMSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD (Headquarters: South Korea), and is scheduled for delivery in 2026. It will be managed by MOL and will transport LNG for JERA. The new vessel will be equipped with the cutting-edge MAN Energy Solutions engine (ME-GA), which improves fuel consumption efficiency, with specifications that enhance its environment friendliness, compared to conventional LNG carriers.
MOL positions the expansion of its LNG fleet and long-term charter contracts, including this project, as an accumulation of stable profit-earning businesses in its business portfolio transformation as defined in its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan. LNG is regarded as a low-carbon energy source which has lower GHG emissions during combustion compared to heavy oil, etc, and this initiative is also in line with the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2,” which aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, and the goal of “expanding the low-carbon/decarbonized business by leveraging the group’s collective strength.”
MOL will leverage its experience and expertise as one of the world’s largest shipping companies to develop various social infrastructure businesses, technologies, and services, centering on ocean transport, to meet the needs of a wide range of customers throughout the group. It aims to become a global social infrastructure company, a strong and resilient corporate group that supports people’s daily lives from the blue oceans, ensures a prosperous future, and delivers new value to all of its stakeholders.