MOL TO ORDER EIGHT CAR CARRIERS

MOL TO ORDER EIGHT CAR CARRIERS    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. plans to order eight large-size car carriers, capable of carrying 6,400 standard passenger cars, for delivery in 2005 and 2006.
   The Japanese shipping group said that it is now negotiating final specifications and prices with Japanese shipyards, and will make final decisions on orders soon.
   The eight vessels will feature “movable jumping slopes” and their decks will have sufficient headroom to accommodate today's taller vehicles. Like six vessels already ordered, they will have a service speed of 20 knots, ramps that can accommodate up to 100 tons, and two-layer adjustable decks.
   MOL aims to replace older vessels by new ships. Between 2003 and 2006, the company will launch 14 new car carriers, including six vessels with a capacity of 6,400 units already ordered, which will join the fleet between March 2003 and April 2004.
   MOL currently operates about 60 car carriers, offering car transport services on a global scale.