MOL agrees lifecycle cover for 12 LNG newbuilds

MOL Global Ship Management has agreed a 10-year lifecycle support contract covering 12 new LNG carriers delivered during 2024 and 2025, with the shipmanager noting the aim of the deal is reduced downtime and more flexible maintenance for its LNG carrier fleet.

Wärtsilä Corp said the agreement is designed to deliver operational support with reduced engine downtime and increased maintenance flexibility for the 12 LNG carriers, adding that three vessels were booked in Q3 2025 and the remaining vessels were booked in the first half of 2025.

MOL Global Ship Management director Namit Mathur said, “Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle Agreement will optimise our vessel operations and maintenance, ensuring that we can maximise uptime and performance. In addition, this agreement will play a crucial role in supporting the sustainable operations of our fleet by helping us reduce emissions and operate more efficiently.”

The supplier described the scope as including its Dynamic Maintenance Planning solution, 24/7 remote operational support and proactive contract management, and said its predictive maintenance offering, Expert Insight, uses real-time vessel data to anticipate issues before they affect operations.

Wärtsilä Marine director, agreement sales Henrik Wilhelms said, “Lifecycle agreements provide shipowners, like MOL, with operational reliability, cost predictability, and optimised maintenance.”

Wärtsilä also stated each vessel operates with two six-cylinder and two eight-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines, plus four Wärtsilä gas valve units, and that catalysts were fitted to reduce emissions levels.

Elsewhere in LNG shipping, lifecycle support contracts have been fixed for longer terms.

In December 2025, OPearl LNG Ship Management agreed a 15-year long-term service agreement covering 14 vessels under its management, with the contract described as targeting “stable uptime” for LNG carrier operations.

At the time, WinGD director of global service Rudi Holbecker said, “Meeting tight delivery schedules requires vessels that operate reliably and promptly time after time. This long-term agreement with OPearl ensures engines will deliver consistent, worry-free performance, voyage after voyage.”