MOL introduces next-gen coal carrier design

The new 90,000 dwt next-generation coal carrier vessel design, the EeneX, has been developed in cooperation with Japanese shipyards, and is intended to achieve safe, reliable and economically efficient transport of steam coal. The vessel’s design draws on the shipyards’ extensive knowledge of coal carriers as well as MOL’s know-how in ship operation.

The EeneX includes three main design innovations. The design adopts a double-hull structure, which allows the inclusion of cargo holds with completely flat sides, which reduces the need to scrape out coal. The design also uses a semi-box shaped hold to prevents cargo from accumulating inside. The two innovations help to optimise discharge operations and speed up cargo handling.

Finally, the EeneX carrier eliminates the need to fill empty cargo holds with ballast water during ballast voyages, as sometimes occurs with conventional coal carriers. The EeneX carrier has only dedicated cargo holds with safe stability. This saves the effort of preparation time for ballasting into cargo hold and reduces the risk of salt and rust contamination due to rust in the cargo hold.

The next generation design has a narrower beam (38m), and relatively deeper draught (20.05m) configuration than some recent Japanese coal bulkers. The design’s length overall (235m) that fits within the 250m parameter of some coastal discharge ports in Japan.