Mitsui OSK Lines has ordered Japan’s first coastal module carrier to cater to the country’s expanding offshore wind market.
China’s Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering is due to deliver the vessel in early 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Subsidiary MOL Drybulk has ordered the ship on the back of a contract from compatriot JFE Engineering to transport wind turbine foundation components.
The vessel, which will be operated by MOL Coastal Shipping, will transport turbine foundations from JFE Engineering’s manufacturing base in Kasaoka-shi, Okayama Prefecture to offshore wind farm construction sites.
JFE Engineering began producing monopile foundations this month.
MOL said the 13,000-dwt vessel will feature an electric propulsion system and be built to a design proven in the European market.
“The new ship 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,” it said.
“The module carrier has a flat deck so that it can directly load wind turbine components, such as monopiles, towers, blades, nacelles and floating foundations, from the stern and sides of the vessel using multi-axle trucks.”
MOL said the domestic demand for transportation of wind turbine components is expected to increase.
MOL Drybulk operates a 3,700-tonne module carrier on a time charter basis to transport onshore and offshore turbine components, plant cargo and marine equipment in Asia.
Japan’s offshore wind capacity is less than 800,000 MW but is planned to expand to more than 5.7 GW by 2030.
About 50 GW is in the early planning stages.
