Chinese yard to build wind module transport ship for MOL

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has awarded Chinese shipbuilder Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering a contract for the construction of a new heavy transport vessel.

MOL’s dry bulk shipping arm MOL Drybulk will be the operator of the vessel, which will be used primarily for the transport of components of offshore wind turbine foundations.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2026, after which it will engage in the coastal transport of offshore wind turbine foundations from JFE Engineering’s manufacturing base in Kasaoka-shi, Okayama Prefecture to offshore wind turbine construction sites in Japan.

The vessel will be equipped with a dynamic positioning system and will offer higher weather resistance compared to non-self-propelled barges, providing direct delivery of cargo to self-elevating platforms at offshore wind power construction sites.

The module carrier will have a flat deck so that it can directly load wind turbine components such as monopiles, towers, blades, nacelles, and floating foundations, from the stern and sides of the vessel using multi-axle trucks and other methods.