Japan’s shipping giant MOL and PT MCS International have established a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier manning company in Indonesia.
Established in August, PT McMOL Crewing International plans to begin operations in April 2024, and will primarily allocate seafarers for MOL’s fleet of LNG carriers, according to a statement by MOL.
In operating vessels transporting LNG, it is essential to recruit, train, and retain top-quality seafarers who are qualified to handle LNG, MOL said.
Yet even as the use of LNG expands on the back of growing needs for cleaner energy, the world is facing a shortage of seafarers, the shipping firm noted.
Since 1986, when MOL teamed up with the Humpuss Group to form PT Humolco LNG Indonesia, a ship management company, it has also focused on training Indonesian seafarers, MOL said.
MOL added the establishment of this new manning company will contribute to stably securing seafarers.
The shipping has a huge fleet of LNG carriers and manages its LNG vessels through six companies around the globe, in Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Muscat (Oman), as well as Arzew (Algeria).
According to MOL’s annual report for the period ending March 31, 2023, the company’s fleet of consists of 94 LNG carriers, 2 LNG bunkering vessels, and also 4 FSUs and FSRUs.
