About the video on “FLEXIE.”

The title of the video is "[Huge impact!] MOL Next-generation Car Carrier FLEXIE Series (Digest)” created by “MOL channel.” This video introduces viewers to the next-generation car carrier vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K Lines.

Using the latest technology, this car carrier ship has high loading efficiency, high propulsive efficiency and high performance. Take a look at the video to see how cool the ship design is! This article will discuss the next-generation car carrier ship “FLEXIE.”

What is "FLEXIE", the next generation car carrier ship?

Source of photo :YouTube screenshot

What you see in the video is the next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE. FLEXIE is operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and carries cars and construction equipment overseas. As you can see in the video at 0:08, the car carrier transportation service “MOL ACE” was established in 2015 to expand their business internationally.
The “FLEXIE series” gained an excellent reputation based on its unprecedented innovations.

In 1965, MOL’s very first car carrier ship “Oppama Maru” was commissioned. Oppama Maru was the first car carrier ship in Japan at the time. Since then, car carrier ships have advanced over the years and eventually the next-generation car carrier ship series FLEXIE was born. Using the latest technology, FLEXIE allows for the transport of various different kinds of vehicles such as trucks and trailers.
Please watch the video starting from 0:38 to learn more about the history of MOL.

The next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE received a Good Design Award in 2018.
MOL’s FLEXIE won the award, making it the first winner from the shipping industry in over 9 years. The full length of FLEXIE is 199.95 meters (~650 ft) and the total width is 32.2 meters (~105.5 ft). The ship also boasts a capacity of 6,800 units (standard passenger vehicles). Currently, there a 4 vessels in operation.

Features of next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE

Source of photo :YouTube screenshot

Features of next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE include the use of the latest load efficiency increasing technology as well as propulsion efficiency increasing technology. Increasing the number of lift-able decks (floors and ceilings can be raised and lowered) increases the number of decks to 14 layers. FLEXIE is completely strengthened, and as a result, a bulkhead-less structure can be implemented, greatly reducing the usage of the ships partitions (bulkhead).

With this new structure, load efficiency is improved 6.25%. Various kinds of vehicles can be loaded on the vessel as well, as the load capacity of the ramp-way is 150 tons. To see how cars are loaded using this latest technology, please take a look at the video starting from 1:12.

Source of photo :YouTube screenshot

As shown in the video from 2:16, MOL worked on FLEXIE to create a Panamax-type of ship to reduce wind resistance (maximum size Panamax-type ships are able to cross the Panama Canal connecting North and South America). By using the latest propellers, water flow is optimized and increases propulsion efficiency.
FLEXIE also cuts CO2 emissions by 13.7% by implementing the latest energy-saving technology.
FLEXIE can generate power using a solar panel system and use the solar power when the ship is at anchor to cut emissions to ZERO.

As you can see from 3:03, FLEXIE uses technologies such as AR and IoT to support steering and adhere to safety regulations. There's also a sensor that detects any defects and performs maintenance before any trouble occurs.

An overview of the next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE

Soruce of photo :YouTube screenshot

The video “MOL Next-generation Car Carrier FLEXIE Series (Digest)” created by “MOL Channel” introduces viewers to the next-generation car carrier ship FLEXIE.

FLEXIE is a high performance car carrier ship using the latest technology.
You can see the latest AR steering support technology in the video.
The high performance car carrier ship revolutionizing the ship industry has set sail!

【Official Website】Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/index.html