ClassNK rules out MOL Comfort topside structural failure

ClassNK indicates that the investigation, lead by ClassNK executive vice president Toshitomo Matsui, is “proceeding rapidly” despite the failed attempt to salvage the ship, and ClassNK expects to consolidate its preliminary findings by early September 2013.

The announcement follows MOL’s plan to ensure against similar failures in Comfort’s sister ships, by sending them back to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ yard for hull strengthening. Recently, three of the vessels went back into service, leaving three still to be completed. MOL Charisma and MOL Competence are expected to be redelivered by the end of September/early October, while work the MOL Commitment, which was newly delivered in June, will be completed by February 2014.