MOL aims for 40 medium range tankers by 2009

MOL aims for 40 medium range tankers by 2009    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines plans to expand its medium range MR-type tanker pool by mid-2009 to include 40 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), methanol carriers, and product tankers.
   MOL and its subsidiary Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd. manage and operate a fleet of 24 MR-type 45,000 deadweight vessels and four long range LR2-type 105,000 deadweight product tankers. MOL has already decided to expand its fleet of long-range product tankers with nine LR1-type 75,000 deadweight vessels.
   The Japanese ocean carrier said it anticipates steady growth in demand for petroleum products such as naphtha, kerosene, diesel oil and jet fuel.
   “While continuing to monitor the growth of the market and vessel price trends, the companies have a long-term goal of 50 ships after 2010,” MOL said.
   MOL said it would soon assign personnel for the product tanker business to Asia’s oil industry center Singapore.