MOL names world’s largest FSRU

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that a naming ceremony for the MOL FSRU Challenger was held at the Okpo shipyard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. in Korea, on September 28. This is the first FSRU for MOL to independently build, own and operate.

The MOL FSRU Challenger will provide storage and regasification services to a project in Turkey, after delivery during October. Operation is slated to commence within 2017. The company claims that it is currently the world’s largest FSRU, with an LNG storage capacity of 263,000m3.

The MOL FSRU Challenger has a LNG storage capacity of 263,000m3 and has LNG re-shipment and gas transfer capabilities. Its specifications allow for the re-export of LNG and supply of LNG to neighboring regions where the vessel is located.

FSRUs are drawing attention as a solution for flexibility and mobility in the LNG supply chain. MOL, now the only Japanese shipping company owning and operating FSRU, is moving into the LNG secondary transport and LNG fuel supply businesses in Asia and Central and South America regions where it anticipates rising demand for LNG.