Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has ordered two ‘EeneX’ next-generation coal carriers from compatriot Oshima Shipbuilding Co., the company informed.
The two vessels will operate under contracts with Japanese electric power companies, Electric Power Development Co., and Hokuriku Electric Power Company, supplying coal from overseas to their power plants in Japan.
MOL said that it expects its EeneX vessels will play a leading role in the group’s coal carrier business.
The design of the 90,000 DWT coal carrier was developed in cooperation with Japanese shipyards and incorporates a double-hull structure, semi-box shape of the hold and is ballast-free, meaning that it doesn’t include ballast holds only cargo holds.
The design was unveiled in June this year as the product of MOL’s extensive knowledge of the operation of coal carriers.
MOL has been predominantly active in ordering LNG carriers over the recent period, and according to the data from VesselsValue, there are currently 9 LNG newbuilds under construction for the shipping major. The company has six bulkers, three Supramaxes being built at Oshima, as well as one VLCC on order as well.