Page 57: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

In the Shipyard

New Orders | Deliveries | Launched | New Concepts

MOL Enters the Maritime Space Race

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is moving toward commercializing an offshore rocket launch and recovery vessel through a partnership with Innovative Space Carrier (ISC) and Tsuneishi Solutions To- kyoBay Co. (formerly Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd).

MOL's engagement in space-related business focuses on the offshore launch and recovery of rockets. Aiming for commercialization around 2030, its ? rst step will be to de- velop a recovery vessel, followed by a feasibility study of the commercialization of an offshore launch vessel. By suc- cessfully developing and introducing such vessels, the com- pany will contribute to the development of a new space infra-

MOL structure that utilizes the ocean and supports next-generation space transport. In this project, MOL will collaborate with

ISC and Tsuneishi Solutions TokyoBay to realize offshore expertise it has cultivated in the shipping and offshore busi- rocket launch and recovery, with the aim of increasing the nesses, MOL will continue to create new value for society across a wide range of ? elds in the space industry as well.

frequency of rocket launches. Leveraging the technology and

World-First LCO / Methanol 2

Carrier gets AIP Green Light

MHI/MOL

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines acquired Approval in Prin- ciple (AiP) from ClassNK for the jointly developed lique? ed CO2 (LCO2) / methanol carrier. The vessel is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. It aims to transport CO2, which serves as raw material, on outward voyages and synthetic methanol on return voyages. Use of dedicated vessels for CO2 or methanol re- sults in empty-cargo operation on half of their trips. If dual transport of CO2 and methanol is achieved, empty-cargo trips can be eliminated, thereby improving overall transport ef? ciency. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and MOL will move for- ward with the development of the LCO2 / methanol carrier, building on the ? nd- ings and technical challenges identi? ed during the concept study. The goal is to achieve commercialization of the LCO2 / methanol carrier through collaboration with relevant companies in the supply chain and other partners.

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