Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Fukada Salvage & Marine Works to explore collaborative opportunities regarding the development of vessels for the transportation and installation of floating offshore wind turbines in Japan.

As Japan seeks to enhance its energy self-sufficiency and move towards a sustainable society, the development of floating offshore wind projects is gaining momentum, according to the company.

This initiative comes as part of the country’s movement towards carbon neutrality by 2050, with a focus on expanding the use of floating offshore wind turbines to deep sea areas.

These turbines are typically assembled at a port before being towed to their installation site, where they are anchored in place.

The towing and mooring operations necessitate specialised vessels, and the partnership between MOL and Fukada aims to address the need for such infrastructure.

The collaboration is set to include comprehensive services beyond vessel construction, such as the procurement of mooring systems through both domestic and international cooperation.

MOL stated: “We will continue to support power generation companies so that they can proceed with ease without the interface risks associated with the procurement of construction vessels and mooring systems.”

MOL and Fukada plan to study efficient transportation and installation methods for floating offshore wind turbines when the introduction of these turbines in the Japanese market is expected to accelerate by the 2030s.

They aim to establish a joint ownership and operation system for new vessels tailored to the needs of floating offshore wind turbines, as well as a framework for procuring mooring systems.

Last month, MOL took delivery of the Prima Verde, a new vessel from Onomichi Dockyard in Hiroshima, Japan, which is touted as the world's first to use green steel.

Powered by both marine gas oil and wind propulsion, it is owned by Daishin Shipping and will be managed by MOL Drybulk.