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MOL says ClassNK ship sinking probe bolsters its law suit against builder

MITSUI OSK Lines (MOL) says ClassNK抯 investigation into the sinking of the MOL Comfort proves its technical argument in the lawsuit against shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries because it found the ship was more vulnerable to girder buckling than other vessels.

The 8,110-TEU MOL Comfort split in two with one half remaining afloat briefly before sinking and then the front end sank while under two in July 2013 in the Gulf of Aden. The crew was rescued, but the cargo was lost.

In its interpretation of the ClassNK investigation report, MOL focused on the lack of lower hull strength possessed by the MOL Comfort and its sister ships compared to others, reported Lloyd's List.

"The report recognised that C series vessels including MOL Comfort were of a construction that bring about buckling collapse more likely," MOL said.

Another possibility, or contributory cause, was the imbalance of the ship owing to unequal distribution of container weights, a factor dismissed by MOL because of its small statistical likelihood.

"Taking the weight difference between declared and actual into account, this should not be a cause for hull fracture," said the MOL statement.

MOL is seeking at least US$131.6 million from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for alleged negligence and defects in the vessel in a lawsuit that also involves cargo and insurance interests.

The shipbuilder has rejected any responsibility, saying MOL Comfort's construction complied fully with all classification rules.