Junichiro Ikeda News

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has informed that on August 30, naming and launching ceremonies were held for the second of Japan's first two LNG-fueled ferries. The ferries were ordered from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd..The ceremonies were held at the Enoura Plant of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Japan.MOL Chairman Junichiro Ikeda named the vessel the "Sunflower Murasaki."On hand for the rope-cutting honors was para-athlete Maya Nakanishi, who has ties to both Osaka and Oita Prefecture, homes to the ports the new ferry will serve.

Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd said on Friday it would spend about 1 billion yen ($9.42 million) on measures to help Mauritius, including the clean-up of the island's mangrove forests and contribution to an environmental recovery fund.A bulk carrier owned by Japan's Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK ran aground on a reef in Mauritius on July 25 and later began leaking oil, causing a marine ecological disaster around the Indian Ocean island."The owner of the ship takes primary legal responsibility…

Japanese transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) held a "MOL Safety Conference 2019" for seafarers of the MOL group from February to end of May at 5 locations worldwide, which almost 800 seafarers have attended.The locations were Tokyo (Japan), Mumbai (India), Manila (Philippines), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and  Vladivostok (Russia).MOL Chairman Koichi Muto and President & CEO Junichiro Ikeda along with many other MOL executives and staff members participated in the conference to discuss with seafarers about the safe operation.The Safety Conference has been held annually since 2007 with the main purpose of fostering a safety culture within the organization.

President & CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Junichiro Ikeda says that his company is  strongly determined to shape the future of the industry. Looking at the shipping market, conditions were mixed across businesses, with firm conditions in dry bulkers but weaker trends in tankers, for example. A full-scale recovery is still in the making. "Amid suboptimal shipping market conditions, we expect to finish fiscal 2017 with results largely in line with our initial forecasts, as steady operational enhancements and efforts on the sales frontline come to fruition," he said. Two things are clear: (1) the MOL Group is transforming itself into an enterprise capable of generating steady profits following business structural reforms…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that the company held the 2017 commendation ceremony for the "MOL Presidential Awards for Officers and Engineers 2017" on December 8. The awards are intended to recognize the ongoing safety-related contributions of MOL Group officers and engineers and recognize their key role, in cooperation with fellow seafarers and ship management companies, in ensuring the safe operation of vessels. The recipients share a commitment to the education and training of younger seafarers, an exemplary attitude in their on board work, and years of success in ensuring the safety of the MOL Group fleet. This year's ceremony honored a total of six officers and engineers from the Philippines, India, Croatia, and Russia.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that its group seafarer manning company Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc (MMM) held a long-service awards presentation ceremony for Filipino seafarers who work for MMM in Manila on November 3, and hosted a Family Day event the following day. MOL President & CEO Junichiro Ikeda, MOL Managing Executive Officer Masanori Kato, and executives of MOL group's ship management companies attended both events. Awards and recognition went to seafarers with 15 years of service aboard MOL-operated vessels, and a total of about 60 award recipients and their families attended. President & CEO Junichiro Ikeda expressed his appreciation to the recipients for their longstanding efforts to realize safe vessel operation…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is exploring the possibilities to generate power from liquefied natural gas (LNG) aboard ships as a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to land-based plants. According to a report on Nikkei, MOL is looking to supply LNG to ship-based power generators to create electricity, delivering this to shore using underwater cables. This is a cheaper alternative to building shore-based power plants and could have particular appeal in emerging markets, Nikkei says. Compared with power plants on land, site acquisition and other initial costs can be kept low. The company is considering shopping the idea to emerging countries wary of the high price tag that comes with building power plants.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that from late February through late March, the company held MOL Safety Conference 2017 programs, targeting MOL Group seafarers, in four locations worldwide. The cities were Split (Croatia), Mumbai (India), Manila (The Philippines) and Tokyo (Japan). Senior Managing Executive Officer Captain Masaaki Nemoto, who also serves as Director General of Safety Operations Headquarters, and many other MOL executives and staff members also participated in the conferences. Along with managers from in-house ship management companies and manning companies, they led active discussions of actual incidents and work-related accidents. The Japan P&I Club was invited to the conferences in Manila and Tokyo to enlighten seafarers about healthcare issues.

The world's largest containership, MOL Triumph, was delivered to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) from Samsung Heavy Industries on March 27, 2017. MOL's newest vessel, the first of a fleet of six 20,000 TEU-class containerships for the company, was named MOL Triumph in a ceremony at SHI in South Korea on March 15, 2017. At 400 meters in length and 58.8 meters in width, MOL Triumph is currently the world's largest containership. With a capacity of 20,170 TEU, the vessel is the first 20,000 TEU-class containership deployed in THE Alliance's Asia to Europe trade via the FE2 service. MOL Triumph will set off on her maiden voyage from Xingang in April 2017 and will sail to Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian and Singapore.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced the graduation of 88 students in the sixth class of the "3rd Year Program," which MOL introduced with the goal of developing crewmembers who will uphold strict safety standards in vessel operation. The 3rd Year Program targets new seafarers from among third-year students at partner maritime schools in the Philippines. MOL provides education and training at the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS), its training center in the Philippines. On hand for the graduation ceremony were Development Bank of the Philippines President, Cecilia C. Borromeo, MARINA, Deputy Executive Director for STCW, Atty. Maximo I.

A new 20,150 TEU containership has captured the “world’s largest” title: MOL Triumph, the first in a series of new mega containerships for Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., (MOL) was named at Samsung Heavy Industries, Ltd.’s (SHI) Geoje, South Korea shipyard. MOL Triumph is the first of four 20,000 TEU class ultra-large container carriers ordered by MOL in February 2015 to be built by SHI for 2017 delivery. Each surpasses the record setting 19,000+ TEU vessels built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that its group’s core dry-cargo ship management company, MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd. (MOLSHIP; President: Toshikazu Inaoka; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has jointly developed with maritime software developer Spectral Technologies, Inc. (President and CEO: Kjell B. Sundberg; Headquarters: Manila, Republic of the Philippines) a new onboard management software program called “WRH5” used to manage crews’ work and rest hours. MOLSHIP will introduce “WRH5” on its managed vessels. In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK; Chairman and President: Koichi Fujiwara; Headquarters:Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) issued a statement of fact that “WRH5”’s support functions are in conformity with international labor regulations.

Mitsui O.S.K. Tokyo, May 13, 2016 - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL, President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda), Nippon Yusen Kaisha, “K” Line, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming have agreed to create a new alliance covering all East-West trade lanes namely, Asia-Europe / Mediterranean, Asia-North America West Coast, Asia-North America East Coast, Transatlantic and Asia-Middle East / Persian Gulf / Red Sea. A binding agreement has been concluded by all partners and “THE Alliance” is scheduled to begin operation in April 2017 subject to approval of all relevant regulatory authorities. The initial term of the cooperation will be five years. The new…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that Lakler S.A., 100% subsidiary of MOL has officially agreed to conclude a charter contract, with an eye toward reaching a final deal in June this year, with Gas Sayago, a joint venture between Uruguay's state oil company ANCAP and state power company UTE, for floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) project (*) in Montevideo, Uruguay, led by Gas Sayago. A signing ceremony was held in Montevideo on May 2 (local time). Lakler looks forward to swiftly finalizing negotiation of the details allowing the project to get under way. The FSRU that will serve this project is currently under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., in South Korea.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today teamed up with a local partner in Indonesia, PT Pelindo Energi Logistik (PEL; President Director: Denny Hermanto) to launch joint operation of the LNG carrier Triputra, which conducted the project’s first discharging operation at the Port of Benoa on Bali Island. This is the second coastal shuttle transport project following one serving for West Java(*), for which MOL securedan order in 2011. In that project, a vessel shuttle-transports LNG to the Port of Benoa, and discharges it to afloating storage unit (FSU) moored there. PEL, the charterer, is working to establish a gas value chain with the new method—transferring LNG discharged to FSU to the floating regasification unit (FRU) moored at the pier.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) announced the delivery of the LNG carrier KUMUL at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (Hudong) in Shanghai on April 29. A naming ceremony was held at the shipyard on April 8. The KUMUL, which was ordered by MOL subsidiary Gemini LNG Shipping Limited (Gemini), is the last in a series of four new-building LNG carriers ordered by MOL to provide LNG transportation for projects in Papua New Guinea. ExxonMobil (*) . This project is deeply rooted in China at many levels — it marks the first time a Chinese shipyard has built LNG carriers ordered by a non-Chinese shipping company…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that the company, along with Tokyo Keiki Inc. (President & CEO: Kenichi Waki; Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo), conducted a performance demonstration test of its autopilot route control function, called “Advanced Control for Ecology (ACE)”, onboard a vessel in service. The results show an energy savings of about 1.5%. The ACE estimates disturbance effects such as wind and tide by setting the vessel’s course direction, and optimally controls the helm to minimize route deviation and reduce the number of course changes required during a voyage, achieving significant reductions in fuel consumption compared to a similar vessel with a conventional control system.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL, President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced the enhancement of its Asia and East Coast South America trade by merging existing CSW and SW2 services to form a new CSW service. The existing CSW and SW2 services, which are operated jointly by MOL, Maersk Line (ML) and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), will be merged into a new enhanced CSW service to strengthen the coverage between the major trading hub of Asia and key ports in the east coast of South America. The upgraded CSW service will further provide wider connectivity with the current network over the key transshipment ports and will integrate the SW2 coverage in some key ports in China to east coast of South America ports.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that on January 20, 2016, the MOL-operated car carrier TRIUMPH ACE safely rescued a survivor about 80 km offshore of Mexico. Details of the rescue follow: ・At 08:50 (all times in local time) on January 20, 2016, the TRIUMPH ACE, sailing from the Port of Mazatlán, Mexico to Port of Balboa, Panama found a drifting person and immediately changed course to approach the castaway, and started rescue operations. ・At 10:48 of the same day, the survivor was safely rescued. ・At 13:45 of the same day, the survivor was turned over to a ship of the Mexican Navy. [Outline of TRIUMPH ACE] LOA : 199.9 m Gross Tonnage : 55,880 MT Crew : 24 (Indian) Registry : Panama

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced the appointment of a new chairman and president.   Current President and Representative Director Koichi Muto will assume the position of Representative Director and Chairman, and current Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Junichiro Ikeda will become president. The appointments are subject to approval by the Board of Directors meeting following the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on June 23, 2015.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) today announced a decision to order two containerships (8,600 TEU) from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., with delivery slated for 2013. Along with eight 8,100 TEU ships already in operation, the new vessels will be deployed to Asia-Europe routes. The company also reached an agreement with NOL Group* for a three-year charter of five large containerships (14,000 TEU) of 10 that NOL Group has on order. The five chartered ships will be delivered in 2013 –2014 and will serve with the other five operated by APL on Asia-Europe routes. “Expansion of the fleet will secure needed capacity on the East-West route," said Junichiro Ikeda, CEO, MOL Liner.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) inaugurated Junichiro Ikeda as its new president on June 23, 2015. “The world economy continues to expand, and demand for ocean transport is growing steadily. On the other hand, the world political and economic situations and the environment surrounding the ocean shipping industry are changing drastically,” Ikeda said in his inaugural message. “This is the second fiscal year of the midterm management plan STEER FOR 2020, and we have firmly grasped the helm, steering for our goals. The main theme of the plan is ‘Solid growth through innovative changes.’ ‘Innovation of the Business Portfolio’ and ‘Innovation of the business model’ among the three key innovations, are already making remarkable changes.

Britain’s new global shipping port welcomes its first scheduled vessel, the ‘MOL Caledon’ from South Africa. After more than a decade of planning and construction across three square miles of development, DP World London Gateway deep-sea port is now open & operational. The ‘MOL Caledon’ was welcomed by DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Vice Chairman Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Group CEO Mohammed Sharaf, Chairman of MOL Liner Junichiro Ikeda, and shipper representatives JFH Hillebrand MD David Mawer and Chingford Fruit MD Gavin McNally, together with other senior executives.