MOL Launches 320,000 dwt Iron Ore Carrier

Logistics Insight Asia - Industry News, 14/8/2008

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has announced the launch of one of the world’s largest iron ore carriers, the 320,000 dwt Tubarao Maru. The naming and delivery ceremony was held today at the Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) Chiba Works. The new vessel will sail under a long-term transport contract with Nippon Steel Corporation.

The Tubarao Maru is similar to the world’s largest iron ore carrier, the Brasil Maru, which was launched in December 2007. It is the second generation ship to bear the name; the original Tubarao Maru was launched in 1966.

Guests at the ceremony included Nippon Steel President Shoji Muneoka and MES President Yasuhiko Katoh. President Muneoka’s wife Yoko cut the rope and President Muneoka named the ship.

After the naming and rope-cutting ceremonies, the Tubarao Maru will go into service to transport Brazilian iron ore to Japan.

MOL became the first Japanese shipping company to operate a 300,000 dwt class very large iron ore carrier (VLOC) with the launch of the Brasil Maru in December 2007. Five of these VLOCs will sail under the MOL operating by August 2009.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, www.mol.co.jp