MOL Teams Up With TSUNEISHI To Build Offshore Rocket Launch & Recovery Vessel

MOL President and CEO Takeshi Hashimoto has announced the company's shift towards commercializing an offshore rocket launch and recovery vessel through a partnership agreement with Innovative Space Carrier Inc. ISC's CEO, Kojiro Hatada, and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co. Ltd, formerly known as Mitsui ES Shipbuilding Co. Ltd, represented by President Kenichi Shibata, are key players in this initiative.

This innovative project stems from the MOL Group's new business inspiration program, the 'MOL Incubation Bridge,' which encourages employees to generate ideas for new ventures. The company is undertaking a comprehensive exploration of opportunities within the space sector, focusing on the offshore launch and recovery of rockets.

With an eye on commercialization by around 2030, MOL plans to first develop a recovery vessel, followed by a feasibility study for an offshore launch vessel. By successfully designing and deploying these vessels, the company aims to enhance the development of new marine infrastructure that supports next-generation space transportation.

MOL's collaboration with ISC and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY will work towards enhancing offshore rocket launch and recovery operations, ultimately increasing the frequency of rocket launches.

Image Credits MOL

Utilizing the expertise and technology cultivated in shipping and offshore industries, MOL is committed to creating new value for society across various fields within the space industry.

Outline of the Partnership Agreement:

1. Initiatives of the three firms:
• Development of rocket recovery vessel: This involves carefully examining the design requirements for rocket recovery ships, conducting feasibility studies to assess their application to the ASCA, and continuing verification tests to confirm the findings.
• Feasibility study on the commercialization of offshore launch vessels for rockets: This includes a careful examination of design requirements for offshore launch vessels, technical and financial feasibility studies, assessing their applicability to the ASCA, and ongoing verification tests.

Date of end of the partnership agreement: July 9, 2025

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