Signing of maritime transport contract with MOL Drybulk for transportation of offshore wind power foundation structures

15 April 2024
JFE Engineering Corporation

JFE Engineering Corporation (President and CEO: Kazuyoshi Fukuda; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has entered into a maritime transport contract with MOL Drybulk Ltd. (President and CEO: Koichi Hirata; Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter referred to as "MOL Drybulk"^*1) on March 27, 2024, for the transportation of offshore wind power foundation structures, such as monopiles and transition pieces (hereinafter referred to as "MPs/TPs").

This contract was signed to transport MPs/TPs from the Kasaoka Monopile Factory (located in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture)^*2, which our company constructed first in Japan and became operational on April 1, 2024, and from our company's Tsu Works (located in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture), to the planned construction sites of domestic offshore wind power plants via domestic coastal maritime transport. Based on this contract, we plan to commence transportation from the fiscal year 2026 using coastal module vessels^*3 managed by MOL Drybulk.

Adaptability to high-speed transportation and challenging sea conditions is essential to supply the required number of MPs/TPs to the planned construction sites in a timely manner. By exclusively utilizing MOL Drybulk's module vessels that meet these criteria, we can efficiently deliver domestic MPs/TPs manufactured by our company to their destinations.

We will surely meet the rapidly expanding demand for construction of offshore wind power generation in the future and make a major contribution to achieving carbon neutrality.　

Please refer to the following link for JFE Engineering Corporation's efforts in the offshore wind power generation business:
https://www.jfe-eng.co.jp/en/products/life/owp01.html

• *1 A maritime transport company that offers one-stop solutions optimal for transportation needs using a variety of vessel types and sizes, including bulk carriers, wood chip carriers, and multipurpose vessels, with cargo weights ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 tons
• *2 Refer to News Release https://www.jfe-eng.co.jp/news/2024/20240401.html
  Completion of Japan's first manufacturing base of fixed-bottom foundation (monopile) for offshore wind turbine ―Kasaoka Monopile Factory begins operations on April 1st!―
• *3 A self-propelled specialized heavy-lift vessel with a flat and spacious deck, suitable for transporting large cargoes such as cranes, construction machinery, hydraulic platforms, plant modules, and wind power generation components.

Contract signing ceremony

Image of module vessel