MOL streamlines vehicle cargo operations

Developed in collaboration with Yamato Chain Mfg. Co. and MOL Techno-Trade Co. the device, known as the ‘Skater’, enables disabled vehicles to be moved in around five minutes without requiring a tow truck. The technology has been introduced across the MOL-operated fleet to support faster and more reliable loading and unloading operations.

Previously, vehicles immobilised by issues such as low fuel or flat batteries often required a tow truck before they could be moved. At ports where towing equipment was unavailable or difficult to secure, cargo handling could be delayed for several hours, disrupting vessel schedules.

The challenge is particularly significant on car carriers, where thousands of vehicles are loaded in tightly packed configurations with minimal spacing between them. As vehicles must be loaded and unloaded in a predetermined sequence, a single immobilised vehicle can interrupt the movement of surrounding cargo, creating bottlenecks that affect the entire operation and potentially delay vessel departures.

The Skater is mounted directly onto the disabled vehicle, allowing it to be moved safely without external towing support. By eliminating reliance on tow trucks, the device enables cargo handling to resume quickly regardless of port location, improving operational flexibility and reducing the risk of schedule disruptions.

The rollout of the Skater forms part of MOL’s broader efforts to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of its global automobile logistics network.