Equinor charters Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ first LNG dual-fuelled VLCC newbuilding

^{Photo credit: MOL}

The Japanese shipping group Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has secured employment with a large international energy company headquartered in Stavanger, Norway for its dual-fuel VLCC newbuilding Energia Viking.

MOL said the 309,000-dwt Energia Viking is the first LNG dual-fuel VLCC delivered by the MOL Group and sailing under a charter contract with Equinor.

MOL announced that on July 29, its group company, MOL Energia Pte. Ltd. held a naming ceremony for the newbuilding very large crude carrier (VLCC) Energia Viking for Equinor ASA at the Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (DACKS).

DACKS is a shipyard in Dalian, China, jointly operated by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (China COSCO Shipping).

The vessel is equipped with an LNG fuel tank with a capacity exceeding 10,000m3, according to the company’s statement.

In addition, with consideration for crew comfort, MOL has introduced a third place onboard called IKOI, which serves as a relaxing space distinct from both living places and working areas. This is the first time that IKOI has been introduced on a VLCC operated