MOL TO INTRODUCE TWO HEAVYLIFT SHIPS

MOL TO INTRODUCE TWO HEAVYLIFT SHIPS    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will introduce two new “middle heavylifters,” multipurpose vessels suitable for lifting heavy, lengthy cargoes, steel products, plywood, and other materials.
   MOL ordered the new ships from Shin-Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd., for delivery in October 2003 and January 2004. Both vessels are 12,000 deadweight tons and have ‘tween decks, two long hatches, two box-shaped holds, and two 75-ton capacity cranes.
   The multipurpose vessels will serve Asian routes. The main purpose of the ships will be to transport industrial plant equipment in Asia, where MOL forecasts an increase in cargo volume, especially during the construction of a Shinkansen-type “bullet train” system in Taiwan.
   With the two new ships, the total fleet of MOL-operated heavylifters will be five vessels.
   MOL has applied for patents on the cranes for the new ships, “which are adaptable to a wide range of uses and offer high efficiency at a low cost.”