MOL announced that it has obtained approval in principle (AiP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for the basic design of specialised vessels to joint and bury subsea power cables.

Power transmission lines must be reinforced to deliver electricity from wind power generation sites, such as those in Hokkaido, to distant major consumption centers. Long-distance subsea DC transmission is regarded as a promising solution for efficiently transmitting large volumes of power, and it is considered effective not only for power grid development but also for offshore wind power generation. MOL is working with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) to develop fundamental technologies-including a new type of cable-laying vessel-as part of a project subsidized by the Japanese government’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) ^{(Note 3)}.

One of MOL’s roles in this project is to develop technologies for cable jointing and burial vessels, and acquisition of AiP from ClassNK represents a major milestone.

The MOL Group identifies offshore wind power as a key business segment in its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan. By developing vessels for subsea power cables, the group aims to contribute to the expansion of renewable energy and the realization of a decarbonized society.

(Note 1) AiP indicates that drawings for a product at the early design stage have been reviewed in consideration of regulatory requirements and approved as meeting technical and safety standards.