Jointly owned by MOL and MOL Drybulk, Wind Whale will strengthen Japan’s offshore wind logistics and heavy-lift transport capability
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), MOL Drybulk and MOL Coastal Shipping have marked the completion of the new coastal heavy-lift deck carrier Wind Whale, with an official naming and completion ceremony held on 29 July in Nagasaki City, the vessel’s port of registry.
The ceremony brought together local stakeholders and industry guests, who were also invited aboard the newbuild to tour its facilities and gain an insight into the role of heavy-lift deck carriers in supporting Japan’s growing offshore wind industry.
The vessel has been named Wind Whale to reflect its capability to transport large, heavy offshore wind components and its commanding presence at sea, drawing inspiration from a whale navigating the open ocean.
Wind Whale will be jointly owned by MOL and MOL Drybulk, while MOL Coastal Shipping will manage vessel operations with operational support from MOL Drybulk.
The heavy-lift vessel has been purpose-built to transport offshore wind turbine monopile foundations manufactured at JFE Engineering Corporation’s production facility in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture. Operating along Japan’s coast, it will deliver the foundations to offshore wind construction sites, supporting the country’s expanding renewable energy infrastructure and the logistics demands of large-scale offshore wind developments.
, MOL Drybulk (MOLDB) and MOL Coastal Shipping (MOLCS)){kind=link}