MOL introduces 'Skater' device to shift disabled vehicles on car carriers

Ro-roMitsui O.S.K. Lines has developed the "Skater", a device for moving vehicles temporarily unable to travel under their own power aboard car carriers, and has begun deploying it across the MOL-operated fleet. The device was developed with Yamato Chain Mfg. Co. and MOL Techno-Trade Co.

Vehicles on car carriers are loaded with roughly 30 cm front-to-back clearance, 10 cm side-to-side and a minimum vertical clearance of 10 cm, and are handled in a predetermined sequence. A single vehicle immobilised by low fuel or a flat battery can therefore disrupt operations around it, creating bottlenecks and departure delays.

Previously such vehicles required a tow truck; at ports where these were difficult to arrange, cargo handling could be held up for several hours, and at some ports it was not possible at all. The Skater mounts directly onto the vehicle and allows it to be moved in about five minutes, enabling loading and discharge to resume without external assistance.

jul 24 2026