Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced the signing of a contract with Waterfront Shipping Company Limited to build and charter up to three methanol carriers. The vessels will be equipped with the world's first flex-fuel engines running on methanol, fuel oil, marine oil, or gas oil.

The engines will be produced by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and the vessels will be built at Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and engaged in methanol transport for WFS after delivery in 2016.

Methanol, drawing considerable attention, is an environmental friendly fuel which contains zero sulfur and enables zero Sox emission. In addition to the usage of Methanol as fuel, the vessels will be superior in environmental performance, being equipped with a ballast water treatment system ahead of regulations, and energy-saving devices installed in front and rear of the propellers improving fuel efficiency.

MOL continually expands methanol transport services to meet the needs of a wide variety of customers, by leveraging accumulated experience and know-how as one of the world's largest methanol carriers.

In addition, MOL strives utmost efforts to prevent air pollution as part of its environmental strategies, while taking a proactive stance on introducing various technologies that contribute to reducing the burden on the environment.