The Japanese shipping group Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has acquired a 25% equity stake in V.Ships France SAS (VSF), a ship management company headquartered in Nantes, France, through its subsidiary, MOL Euro Energie SAS. V.Ships will retain the 75%.

According to MOL, the VSF has an established track record since 2001 in the crewing and operational management of LPG tankers, LNG bunkering vessels, and other vessels, including the provision of French officers and crew.

For MOL’s vessels, VSF is currently managing two MOL bunkering vessels (Gas Vitality and Gas Agility operated in Rotterdam and Marseille).

Through this additional mandate and equity participation, MOL will newly appoint VSF as the ship manager for two LNG carriers to be delivered to INEOS in 2027. 

Robert Desai, CEO of V.Ships, said that, “Having a counterpart of MOL’s standing as partners in V.Ships France is a validation of what our team in Nantes has built, as well as V.’s global strength and credibility, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration together as the LNG sector continues to grow.”