Deck Cargo Ship
Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of a new deck cargo ship built by Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering of China.
Wind Whale is owned jointly by MOL and its dry bulk shipping arm MOL Drybulk while operation will be the responsibility of MOL Coastal Shipping.
The vessel will be used primarily for the transport of components of offshore wind turbine foundations.
Following delivery, the vessel will engage in the coastal transport of offshore wind turbine foundations from JFE Engineering’s manufacturing base in Kasaoka-shi, Okayama Prefecture, to offshore wind turbine construction sites in Japan.
The NK-classed Wind Whale has an LOA of 149.9 metres (491.8 feet), a moulded beam of 30 metres (100 feet), a maximum draught of 5.85 metres (19.2 feet), a moulded depth of 8.72 metres (28.6 feet), a deadweight of 12,709, and a gross tonnage of 9,920.
The electric propulsion system consists of two ABB 2,500kW motors, two propellers, batteries, and five AC and two DC generators.
The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system and will offer higher weather resistance compared to non-self-propelled barges, providing direct delivery of cargo to self-elevating platforms at offshore wind power construction sites.
