MOL orders two 8,600 TEU boxships in expansion

In a move to expand capacity in its Asia-Europe service, Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced a decision to
order two new 8,600-TEU containerships from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., for delivery in 2013. The new boxships will join eight 8,100 TEU ships already in operation on the Asia-Europe routes.

MOL also reached an agreement with Singapore’s NOL Group for a three-year charter of five 14,000-TEU containerships of 10 that NOL Group has on order. The five chartered ships will be delivered in 2013 and 2014 and will serve with the other five operated by APL on Asia-Europe routes.

“Expansion of the fleet will secure needed capacity on the East-West route, and allow us to provide high-quality, competitive services,” says Junichiro Ikeda, CEO of MOL Liner.

June 27, 2011