Recently, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC) and Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay to jointly advance the commercialization of maritime rocket launch and recovery vessels.
This project originated from MOL’s employee-driven proposal initiative, “MOL Incubation Bridge,” which encourages the incubation of new business ideas. This move marks MOL’s official entry into exploring space-related ventures.
MOL’s focus in the space sector will center on maritime rocket launches and recovery. The company aims to achieve commercialization around 2030, with the first step being the development of a rocket recovery vessel, followed by feasibility studies for the commercialization of maritime rocket launch ships. By successfully developing and introducing such vessels, MOL will contribute to leveraging marine resources to build new space infrastructure and support the development of next-generation space transportation.
For this project, MOL will collaborate with ISC and Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay to realize maritime rocket launches and recovery, with the goal of increasing rocket launch frequency. MOL will leverage its accumulated expertise and technology in shipping and marine engineering to continue creating new societal value across diverse fields, including the space industry.
**Overview of the Tripartite Cooperation Agreement:**
1. **Development of a Maritime Rocket Recovery Vessel:** Refine design requirements for the vessel and conduct applied research and demonstrations based on ASCA 1.
2. **Maritime Launch Vehicle:** Study design requirements for maritime launch vehicles, assess their technical and economic feasibility, and initiate research and validation for their application in ASCA 1.
Kojiro Hatada, CEO of ISC, stated: “We are delighted to have reached this agreement and will engage in concrete discussions on developing vessels capable of rocket takeoff and landing at sea. We will work even harder to realize our envisioned space transportation system.”
Miwako Ando, Executive Director of MOL, commented: “Our goal is to contribute to high-frequency space transportation by establishing the necessary technologies and vessel operation/management expertise for maritime rocket launches and recovery, thereby providing maritime infrastructure for the space industry. We will utilize our core competencies in maritime transport and marine engineering, along with the technologies and expertise accumulated across the entire group, to create new societal value in various fields of the space industry.”
Hiroshi Seki, Director of Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay, added: “Our company was renamed Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay on June 30, succeeding the century-old shipbuilding expertise of Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding. Beyond ship design engineering, we possess liquefied gas-related technologies, dynamic positioning systems, and autonomous navigation technology. We believe these strengths can be applied to developing vessels capable of rocket takeoff and landing. We are committed to contributing to the future of space transportation through reusable rockets and creating new value.”
