Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has taken a minority stake in V.Ships France while expanding a long-running partnership covering LNG vessels. The Tokyo-based shipping giant said it has acquired a 25% shareholding in the Nantes-based shipmanager through its subsidiary MOL Euro Energie. Parent company V.Group will retain the remaining 75%. Financial terms have not been disclosed. Alongside the investment, V.Ships France will take full technical management of two newbuild LNG carriers being delivered to energy group INEOS in 2027. The move builds on an existing tie-up between the companies, under which V.Ships France already manages several vessels for MOL, including LNG bunkering ships operating in Europe. For MOL, the deal strengthens its presence in the European market and supports the continued growth of its LNG shipping activities. The investment also gives the company access to French officers and crew, something MOL said would become an important resource as it expands operations in the region. V.Ships France has been active in the crewing and technical management of gas carriers since its establishment in 2001. The company will continue to operate from its headquarters in Nantes, with no changes to staff or day-to-day operations following the transaction. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsFrance Japan Shipmanagement