Idwal, the global vessel inspection and condition intelligence company, has entered into a strategic agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) to provide inspection support across multiple areas of the business, including sale and purchase (S&P) activities, owners’ inspections and selected group companies.

As part of the partnership, MOL will utilise Idwal’s global surveyor network and technical expertise to conduct owners’ inspections using MOL’s own inspection checklists and standards. This enables MOL to maintain consistency in its internal inspection programme while benefiting from Idwal’s worldwide reach and established quality assurance processes.

The partnership also includes support for vessel acquisitions and condition monitoring through the Idwal ID platform, providing a centralised view of vessel condition and inspection outcomes across parts of the MOL Group.

Thom Herbert, Regional Lead, Asia, at Idwal, said: “This agreement reflects the strength of the relationship that has developed between Idwal and MOL over many years.

“What makes this partnership particularly significant is its breadth. We are supporting MOL across different functions and operating companies, from vessel acquisitions through to owners’ inspections and ongoing fleet oversight.

“Importantly, MOL has chosen to retain its own inspection standards and utilise Idwal to deliver them globally. That is a strong endorsement not only of our surveyor network, but also of the quality and consistency of our technical processes.

“MOL selected Idwal based on the strength of our global network of experienced marine surveyors and our proven expertise in vessel inspections. Maintaining their own inspection standards while improving efficiency across regions was clearly a key priority, and this partnership is designed to support that approach.”

Nick Owens, CEO of Idwal, added: “MOL is one of the most respected names in global shipping, so we are extremely proud to support the organisation across such a broad range of activities.

“This partnership demonstrates that owners do not have to choose between maintaining their own standards and accessing external expertise. MOL is combining its own inspection philosophy with Idwal’s global reach, technical capability and data-driven approach.

“For us, this is exactly what partnership should look like: helping customers preserve the standards that matter to them, while making those standards easier to apply consistently across fleets, regions and business units.”