MOL to expand big ship fleet

Mitsui OSK Lines has placed an order for two containerships (8 600 TEUs) from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for delivery in 2013. Along with eight 8 100-TEU ships already in operation, the new vessels will be deployed on Asia-Europe routes. The company has also reached an agreement with NOL Group for a three-year charter of five large containerships (14 000 TEUs) - NOL has 10 on order. These will be delivered in 2013–2014 and will serve with the other five operated by APL on Asia-Europe routes. NOL (Neptune Orient Lines), based in Singapore, is the parent company of APL, one of MOL’s partners in The New World Alliance (TNWA).