MOL adopts double-hull fuel tanks for VLCCs
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., a Tokyo-based ocean carrier, said Tuesday it plans to equip its next generation of very large crude carriers (VLCCs) with double-hull fuel tanks to reduce the risk of leaking fuel.
The double-hull tanks will be introduced on four VLCCs due for launch in 2005, and on similar tankers that MOL will order thereafter.
The double-hull structure comprises an empty tank located outside of the fuel tank. The empty tank may be used for ballast water.
Two of MOL’s VLCCs are being built by Mitsui Engineering Shipbuilding Co and two by Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corp.
Each of the 315,000-deadweight-ton vessels is 333 meters in length.