Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is moving further into the subsea vessel market with the acquisition of a major stake in Norway's AKOFS Offshore.

The Japanese shipping giant is making the investment alongside compatriot trading house Mitsui & Co, it confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

“MOL’s acquisition of shares in AKOFS means MOL will become more deeply involved in the operation and ship management of subsea support vessels, marking its full-scale move into this field,” it said.