Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the company’s move toward commercializing an offshore rocket launch and recovery vessel through a partnership agreement with Innovative Space Carrier, Inc. (ISC) and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. (Former company name: Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding). This project originated from the MOL Group’s new business proposal program, the ‘MOL Incubation Bridge’, designed to encourage employees to foster ideas for new businesses. The company has initiated a full-scale exploration into participation in space-related ventures.
MOL’s engagement in space-related business focuses on the offshore launch and recovery of rockets. Aiming for commercialization around 2030, its first step will be to develop a recovery vessel, followed by a feasibility study of the commercialization of an offshore launch vessel. By successfully developing and introducing such vessels, the company will contribute to the development of a new space infrastructure that utilizes the ocean and supports next-generation space transport.
In this project, MOL will collaborate with ISC and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY to realize offshore rocket launch and recovery, with the aim of increasing the frequency of rocket launches. Leveraging the technology and expertise it has cultivated in the shipping and offshore businesses, MOL will continue to create new value for society across a wide range of fields in the space industry as well.
It is understood that Tsuneishi Solutions, which is cooperating with MOL this time, is Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, which was recently acquired and renamed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.
Tsuneishi Shipbuilding announced on June 30 that it had completed the acquisition of all shares in Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Mitsui E&S Holdings, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and renaming it Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyo Bay Co., Ltd.
With the complete transfer of Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding to Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, Mitsui E&S Holdings became another century-old Japanese shipbuilder to withdraw from the shipbuilding industry after Sasebo Heavy Industries in 2022 and Sumitomo Heavy Industries in 2024.