MOL’S CAR-CARRIER DESIGN TARGETS REDUCED OIL SPILL RISKS

MOL’S CAR-CARRIER DESIGN TARGETS REDUCED OIL SPILL RISKS    Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced on Wednesday plans to build new car carriers with new designs that aim to reduce the risk of oil spills and improve the stability of ships.
   MOL's design for new car carriers place the ship’s fuel tanks in a    double hull, on what would be the bottom or 12th car deck on a conventional car carrier. The ballast tank of the ship are located in the lowest point of the ship, effectively surrounding the fuel tanks. MOL said that this reduces the risk of a fuel spill in case of an accident or grounding. Placing the ballast tank in the lowest point of the ship also enhances stability.
   Stability is critical for car carriers, which are very susceptible to wind forces. There have been incidents of car carriers being topped over by strong wind, such as the “Tricolor” of Wallenius Wilhelmsen that capsized in the English Channel last December.
   MOL and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have applied for a patent on the new design.
   The company plans to build 12 car carriers for launch between 2004 and 2006. Each of the ships will accommodate about 6,400 standard passenger cars. The vessels will be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd., and Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.