ClassNK Releases Preliminary Insight Into Crack-Up of MOL Comfort

Hull of the MOL Comfort begins to crack on June 17, 2013.

Japanese classification society ClassNK released the following statement today regarding the forensic investigation into what may have caused the initial catastrophic failure on board the MOL Comfort.

Tokyo – Under the leadership of ClassNK Executive Vice President Toshitomo Matsui, the ClassNK Casualty Investigation Team is carrying out a rigorous and exhaustive investigation of the causes of the MOL Comfort casualty.

This analysis work is proceeding rapidly, and ClassNK expects to consolidate its preliminary findings by early September 2013.

Based on the current findings of the ongoing investigation and analysis, the ClassNK Casualty Investigation Team has determined that the damage leading to the loss of the MOL Comfort did not originate from the vessel’s upper deck area or hatch side coaming.

As a preventative safety measure, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines have developed plans to further increase the hull strength of the MOL Comfort’s sister vessels. These plans have been approved by ClassNK.