OFFSHORE WIND POWER ENERGY BUSINESS

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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.'s Offshore Wind Power Generation-Related Business Key Points

MOL's offshore wind power generation-related business is underpinned by two pillars: (i) a supply chain business from development to O&M and (ii) participation in the power generation business, including investments in overseas companies.
In our supply chain business, MOL provides services ranging from marine consulting to transportation—including special cargo transport and maintenance crew transportation (CTV/SOV)—as well as installation, O&M, cable installation, and training.
In particular, regarding maintenance crew transportation, MOL completed the construction of Asia's first newbuild SOV in 2022. Additionally, the company-owned CTV “KAZEHAYA” became the first domestic CTV to receive ICM certification.
MOL's purpose in participating in the power generation business is to accurately understand the needs and challenges of power generation companies, boosting MOL's value as a trusted service provider.

The offshore wind power generation-related business is an area with synergies with MOL Group's existing businesses and has a potential for sustainable growth in the context of the rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

One of the initiatives to contribute to the reduction of society's GHG emission is offshore wind power business. MOL is offering a range of services in the value chains of offshore wind power business where MOL can utilize our experience and expertise of maritime transport and offshore businesses (FSRU, FPSO, etc.).

MOL OFFSHORE WIND POWER ENERGY BUSINESS value chain

Offshore wind power generation is a wide-range industry, with most of its supply chain extending offshore. The MOL Group consists of number of operating companies active in supply chain services of to offshore wind power generation, including marine consulting, towing, coastal shipping, special cargo transport, and logistics. MOL expects synergies with the knowledge and resources MOL has developed as a group for the entire offshore wind power generation value chain.

MOL has two pillars in offshore wind power business. One is supply chain services for offshore wind farms such as construction and logistics, marine consultation, and O&M, and the other is the development of offshore wind farms including participation in Formosa1 offshore wind power project. MOL will accumulate experience and expertise in fixed-bottom offshore wind power generation and supply chain business and strive to become a leading company which has its strengths in floating offshore wind power generation.

Provides all kinds of marine transport services using domestic and overseas networks, including bulk ships, multi-purpose ships, heavy cargo ships, module ships, and barges. The MOL Group operates foreign-going module carriers and has a proven track record in the transportation of onshore wind turbine components, and Japan’s first domestic module carrier, well-suited for the transport of offshore wind power equipment, is nearing delivery.

Provides an emergency transportation service for wind power generation parts and a total coordination service by taking　advantage of its 139 networks deployed across 26 countries and agency's 189 networks deployed across 51 countries.

Has a track record of special cargo transportation using a super carrier with extensive operation experience in domestic port terminals. Provides consistent service from route investigation, land transportation, unloading from barges and general cargo ships, and marine transportation arrangement to local installation.

Special Cargo Transportation

Please feel free to contact us about our heavy and oversized cargo transportation and associated services.

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Implementation of DP simulator
The first Nl-certified DP training center in Japan

Dynamic Positioning (DP) Simulator with a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) widely contributes to the offshore wind power value chain by offering offshore wind power-related consultations using a simulator and developing and providing training that meet customers’ requests.

Find more : Simulators Provided by MOL Group

It is necessary to strengthen the nation's power system to transmit electricity from Hokkaido and the coast of the Sea of Japan, which are suitable for offshore wind power generation, to areas with great demand for electricity, so long-distance transmission methods using ocean routes are considered promising.

Cable Laying Ships adopt “Dynamic Positioning Systems“ to lay submarine cables with safety and precision, and MOL Group have accumulated technology and expertise to automatically maintain the ship position under various environmental and weather conditions. MOL aims to utilize our know-how in power cable laying work for offshore wind power generation facilities.

The MOL Group has been responsible for ship management and the operation of four cable-laying ship in total, owned by KDDI Cable ship Co.,Ltd., (wholly owned by KDDI, hereinafter called KCS”) for over 50 years. In order to respond to the demand for power cable-laying ship that are expected to grow, MOL signed a memorandum of agreement for cooperate on in power cable installation with KCS in September 2021 and promotes the commercialization of the power cable-laying ship business. In addition, MOL will take on the role for the development of cable laying support vessels as the project selected by the Japanese government's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in June 2023.

As a result of these initiatives, in December 2025, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for its subsea power transmission cable connection and burial vessels. Since areas suitable for wind power generation, such as Hokkaido, are located far from major power demand centers, strengthening the power grid is indispensable for power transmission. Among these methods, long-distance subsea DC power transmission technology is considered an effective means not only for power grid development but also for offshore wind power generation, as it can efficiently transport large capacities of electricity.

Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) have accommodations for wind farm service and maintenance technicians, allowing them to stay on-site for extended periods. SOVs are equipped with a dynamic positioning system (DPS) to constantly maintain a safe distance between the vessel and the offshore wind turbines, as well as a special gangway with a motion compensation function (absorbing hull movement due to wind and wave action and so on), allowing safe and easy access between the vessel and the offshore wind turbines.

Ta San Shang Marine, a Joint Venture established between MOL and Ta Tong Marine, MOL’s key business partner in Taiwan, started the operation of the first newbuild SOV in Asia "TSS PIONEER" in 2022. TSS PIONEER has been engaged in O&M support for the Greater Changhua Offshore Wind Farm under a Time Charter contract with Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer.

In May 2026, Ta San Shang Marine’s second SOV, “TSS CRUISER” was completed and is currently engaged in offshore wind farm support operations in Taiwan. The vessel is designed not only for O&M activities but also for use during the construction phase of offshore wind farms. In addition, it adopts a methanol-ready design that enables future conversion to methanol fuel. Furthermore, in June 2024, Ta San Shang Marine concluded a shipbuilding contract for its third SOV, “TSS CHALLENGER”. The vessel is scheduled to completed by the end of 2026 and is planned to be deployed at offshore wind farms in Taiwan that are expected to be constructed and become operational in the latter half of the 2020s.

Leveraging the knowledge and experience gained through the operation of “TSS PIONEER”, Asia’s first newbuild SOV, the company will continue to contribute to the expansion of offshore wind projects in Taiwan and the broader Asian region by ensuring the safe transfer of personnel and cargo while offering a comfortable onboard living environment.

For more information on our SOV initiatives, please see this blog post.

Why Maritime Companies are Expanding into Offshore Wind Power Generation, a Trump Card for Renewable Energy Expansion

MOL Makes First Entry into the European Offshore Wind CSOV Business

MOL is expanding its presence in the European offshore wind power market by leveraging the expertise and operational know-how accumulated through its SOV business in Taiwan.

In March 2026, MOL decided to jointly own two Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOVs) scheduled for delivery in 2027 together with Schoeller Holdings Ltd., and to invest in Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt, a Germany-based company that will operate the vessels.

In Europe, where offshore wind power is positioned as a key pillar of energy policy, demand for CSOVs is expected to continue to grow. By expanding its offshore wind-related business from Asia to Europe, MOL will further enhance its services supporting the construction, commissioning, and operation of offshore wind farms, thereby contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society.

Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) is a transportation vessel that delivers wind farm technicians to offshore wind turbines with a relatively short distance from the port. (Passenger capacity 12-24 people) The fender attached to the bow is pushed on the offshore wind farm facility to transfer technicians from CTV in safe. Standard vessel type is aluminum catamaran.

In order to provide safe, secure CTV services, MOL has been engaged in the research and development of hull forms optimized for the inclement weather and nautical conditions of Japan. Performing verification tests in a water tank and simulations of wave motion characteristics when sailing and entering ports, MOL develops the best hull form for Japanese waters.

From June 2023, MOL Group put three crew transfer vessels into the offshore windfarm at Ishikari Bay New Port to support the construction and operation of the project. In addition, one of the CTVs, “KAZEHAYA” owned by MOL, is the first CTV in Japan managed and operated under International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which is the international standard of the ship safety management system, certified by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK). In addition, two CTVs have operated in The Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm since April 2025.

Even on the sea, wind farm maintenance is done by human hand. Offshore wind power is about more than just finishing the construction. MOL also must consider how to sustain its availability.

In January 2024, MOL formed a capital alliance with Hokutaku Co., Ltd., Japan’s largest independent wind turbine maintenance company. Hokutaku excels in training skilled maintenance engineers. MOL aims to contribute to the expansion of the offshore wind industry, by creating new value, which combines Hokutaku's extensive experience, know-how, and network in wind power generation maintenance with the MOL Group's operational experience in social infrastructure business, including ocean transport.

In order to anticipate the standards and needs of the offshore wind industry, MOL believes that our involvement in the power generation business itself, which is the core of this industry, will enable us to enhance the sophistication and quality of MOL’s supply chain services, which is one of the strengths of our Group. By combining and packing these supply chain services, MOL will provide comprehensive services and one-stop services that can only be offered by MOL Group.

For example, fixed-bottom offshore wind farms are currently mainstream, but floating offshore wind power projects are highly promising. MOL is the only company in Asia with experience of owning and operating FSRUs, and the floating offshore wind power businesses is an area where MOL can utilize our knowledge and expertise in offshore businesses and offshore structure operation. As the floating offshore wind turbines are installed at a longer distance from the coast, their supply chains are also expected to be longer and larger. MOL is positive that our strength can be utilized throughout the entire process, including towing, installation, mooring, maintenance, and operation of wind turbine components and foundations (floating structures).