Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ group company, MOL Drybulk, and Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering have concluded a construction contract for a new module carrier that the company says is Japan’s first coastal module carrier to transport components for offshore wind turbine foundations.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026 and will then be set to engage in the coastal transport of turbine foundations from the JFE Engineering manufacturing base in Kasaoka-shi, Okayama Prefecture to offshore turbine construction sites in Japan. MOL Coastal Shipping will operate the vessel under the management of MOL Drybulk.
This month, JFE Engineering began production of monopiles used to build offshore foundations.
MOL says the vessel will be equipped with a dynamic positioning system and offer higher weather resistance than non-self-propelled barges, providing direct delivery of cargo to self-elevating platform vessels at offshore wind power construction sites.
