MOL expands large containership fleet

The newbuilding contract is for two 8,600TEU vessels from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with delivery slated for 2013. Along with eight 8,100TEU ships already in operation, these new vessels will be deployed to Asia-Europe routes.

The company has also agreed with NOL Group a three-year charter of five 14,000TEU containerships out of 10 that NOL has on order. The five chartered ships will be delivered in 2013 – 2014. Singapore-based NOL (Neptune Orient Lines) is the parent company of APL, one of MOL’s partners.

“Expansion of the fleet will secure needed capacity on the East-West route, and allow us to provide high-quality, competitive services. MOL works continuously to further improve and optimise its service, and is reviewing the need for an expansion of the fleet on not only East-West trades but also all other routes for the benefit of our customers,” said Junichiro Ikeda, CEO, MOL Lines.