Mol Techno News

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that the bunkering vessel Techno Star, owned and operated by its group company MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. (MOL Tech), has been operating using cleaner burning biodiesel fuel (BDF) supplied by Aburatou Shoji K.K.The MOL Group, which announced in June 2021 that it aims to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, said it is exploring biomass as an effective alternative to fossil fuels.The BDF used on board Techno Star is fatty acid methyl ester generated through transesterification of collected waste cooking oil with methanol.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that its Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF), sold by its group company MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. was certified as the “Best-selling Energy-Saving Ship Appendage Brand (Cumulative)”, by Guinness World Records, and received the official certificate on December 23, 2021.This award is based on the cumulative 3,748 PBCFs sold (the sales record with 3,516 vessels including twin-screw vessels equipped with PBCF) as of the end of December 2020.PBCF was co-developed by MOL, West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd., and Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd.

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade held a ceremony to mark its participation in the "Green Award Program", aimed at promoting "Quality Shipping" on a global scale.The program is run by the nonprofit Green Award Foundation (Head Office: Rotterdam, the Netherlands), which was established with the objectives of protecting the marine environment and enhancing the safety of vessel operation.At the ceremony, President of MOL Techno Hatta received a plaque from Green Award Foundation Executive Director Jan Fransen.Quality Shipping refers to action programs that enhance ship management…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)  announced that the "Ballast Catch" = Viable Organism Sampler will begin marketing on May 15.The device, jointly developed by MOL Group company MOL Engineering and Satake Corporation, saves workload in preparing samples of ballast water prior to testing for the presence of marine organisms. Another MOL Group company, MOL Techno-Trade will handle sales of "Ballast Catch".Satake  developed the "Ballast Eye" =Viable Organism Analyzer, inspection system to determine how many living organisms are contained in a vessel's ballast water, in response to stricter regulations set out in "International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced its intention to install a navigation system using augmented reality (AR) technology jointly developed by Furuno Electric and MOL Techno-Trade on 21 MOL Group-operated very large crude oil carriers (VLCCs).The system displays information on other vessels sailing on a vessel's planned route and surrounding sea areas and other ocean conditions, such as shallow waters, on tablets and screens. It integrates information from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and radar with real-time video images from the bridge camera in collaboration with Furuno Electric's cutting-edge Electric…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade has joined a Green Award Program aimed at promoting high-quality shipping.The program is run by the nonprofit Green Award Foundation, which was established with the objectives of protecting the marine environment and enhancing safe operation.The program aims to improve the quality of vessels and mariners and protect the marine environment by certifying vessels for excellence in safety and low environmental impact. Companies that share the foundation's goals support them by providing incentives.Eleven MOL Group-operated vessels have earned certification from the Green Award Foundation.

Japenese marine transportation company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that MOL, MOL Techno-Trade, the National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI), and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) jointly conducted an assessment and feasibility study on advanced navigation support systems, using the NMRI-owned ship handling risk simulator, which has a horizontal view angle of 240°C.On watch-keeping during ship operations, mariners must first be able to see an object, and then judge whether that object poses a risk to the vessel. If that is the case, the vessel must take some action to avoid the risk, such as veering…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced plans to launch the experimental use of a system that supports ship operation during voyages using augmented reality (AR) technology, jointly developed by Furuno Electric and MOL Techno-Trade on a very large crude carrier (VLCC) subsequently to car carrier.In this project, information, such as other ships sailing around the vessel and landmarks like buoys at sea, can be shown on tablets and other displays, based on data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS).Images of landscapes taken from the bridge can also be shown on the same tablets, and these images will overlap with AR to provide visual…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced a plan to issue green bonds (its 20th and 21st series unsecured corporate bonds) through a public offering in Japan's domestic market. It also announced the acquisition of a second opinion from a third-party institute.Japan's 1st Green Bonds are aimed at individual investors. Green bonds are used to raise funds for businesses aimed at protecting and improving the environment.MOL established the MOL Group Environmental Vision 2030 in April 2017, and designated environment-related and emission-free businesses as core activities in its "Rolling Plan 2018" management plan.Main use of funds:-Ballast water…

Viking is establishing a local presence in Japan to support its growing relationships with local shipowners.Viking Japan builds upon an alliance with MOL Techno-Trade that began five years ago when VIKING’s products were first added to the maritime supplier’s portfolio. “Prior to joining MOL Techno-Trade’s product line-up, VIKING’s representation in Japan was limited,” said VIKING Vice President for the Asian region, Bjarne Kolbo Nielsen. “Today, with the trust shown in us by MOL Techno-Trade…

Maritime safety equipment and servicing provider VIKING Life-Saving Equipment is kicking off its presence at Sea Japan 2018 (April 11-13) with a boosted liferaft offering. On one hand is the company’s ability to supply VIKING S30 extended service interval SOLAS liferafts; on the other is a recent Japanese Government approval for VIKING to supply liferafts to Japanese flagged vessels and carry out final liferaft assembly in Japan. This is the first such approval awarded to a non-Japanese manufacturer…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has taken delivery of the first car carrier of the next-generation “FLEXIE” series, the Beluga Ace, which was built at the Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.  The vessel features six liftable decks, compared with two on conventional car carriers. This allows the Beluga Ace to more effectively meet demand for more diversified vehicle and high and heavy cargo transport, MOL said. The hull design is a complete departure from current car carriers, MOL said. A rounded bow shape will minimize wind resistance and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 2 percent compared to today's car carriers. The new shape is the result of joint research by MOL, MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. and Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced an agreement with Furuno Electric Co and MOL Techno-Trade to jointly develop a system that supports ship operation during voyages using augmented reality (AR) technology. In this project, information, such as other ships sailing around the vessel and landmarks like buoys at sea, can be shown on tablets and other displays, based on data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS). Images of landscapes taken from the bridge can also be shown on the same tablets, and these images will overlap with AR to provide visual support to crewmembers operating ships and keeping watch during voyages. MOL is looking at ways to overlap displays of obstacles taken by radar…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced commercialization of the Total Residual Oxidants (TRO) instrument "S.sensing WS," one of the major components of the Ballast Water Management System (BWMS). TRO is developed by Kurita Water Industries with the cooperation of MOL's group company MOL Engineering Co. In addition, MOL Techno-Trade will handle sales activities for the new product. BWMS are categorized as "UV type," "electrolysis type," "chemical type," and "ozone type." All except for the UV type sterilize harmful organisms in ballast water with various active substances. Therefore, accurately measuring the density of those active substances significantly impacts the effectiveness and treatment costs.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its jointly developed Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF) received the 2017 Nikkei Global Environmental Technology Award, which is presented by Nikkei Inc. The PBCF, which is a device that improves propeller efficiency by breaking up the hub vortex generated behind the rotating propeller and offers an energy savings of around 3-5% compared to similar vessels not equipped with the PBCF, was co-developed by MOL, West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd., and Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd. (called Mikado Propeller Co., Ltd. at the time), and is being sold by MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. The PBCF has been sold for more than 3,200 vessels all over the world since 1987, when it started sales of the conventional PBCF.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that the company has completed an in-service demonstration test of a wind resistance-reducing windshield for containerships, and determined that the device reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by an average of 2%. The windshield, co-developed by MOL, was installed on the bow of its operated containership, MOL Marvel, for the demonstration test. Confirmed about 2% average CO2 reduction after installing the windshield on the bow and sailing at 17 knots per hour, compared to operating an identical vessel at the same speed without the device installed. Test Objectives: (1) Accumulate Big Data on operational status during service on Asia-North America East Coast routes…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade will start selling an upgraded version of its energy-saving Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF). MOL Techno-Trade has sold more than 3,100 PBCFs to ship owners all over the world. The new type of PBCF was jointly developed by MOL, Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), and MOL Techno-Trade. The new design enhances propeller thrust and reduces torque thanks to refinements in fin shape and height. Tests of the new type PBCF on vessels in service confirmed an energy savings of around 5% compared to sister vessels not equipped with PBCF. The previous design showed an estimated 3% energy savings. The new PBCF design has already been patented around the world.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that its group company MOL Techno-Trade will exhibit BARI-SHIP 2017 which is held at Imabari, Ehime from May 25th - 27th, 2017 with Satake Corporation. Satake Corporation designed and developed "Viable Organism Analyzer (VOA1000)" which can detect number of viable organisms in the ballast water, based on ballast water discharge standard (D-2) of the Ballast Water Management Convention which will enter into force in Sep 8th, 2017. Satake's test method "Pulse counting FDA" has been approved the guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for trial use in accordance with the BWM Convention and Guidelines (G2) by IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 68th session in May 2015.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced that Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF) was selected as a vessel quieting technology by the EcoAction Program implemented by Port of Vancouver, Canada. PBCF was jointly developed by MOL, West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd. and Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd. (Note 1), and is being sold by MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s EcoAction Program offers discounted harbour due rate to vessels that have implemented voluntary emission reduction measures and other environmental practices. As of January 1, 2017, vessels equipped with PBCF and transiting to the Port of Vancouver will be eligible for bronze level recognition and a 23% discount in harbour dues.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced that it has started demonstration tests of a new windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Inc., Akishima Laboratory Inc., and the University of Tokyo. The project was backed by the “Joint R&D for Industry Program”, in which Nippon Kaiji Kyokai promotes wide-ranging R&D activities in cooperation with industry, government and academia. The new windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL-operated containership MOL MARVEL, and a demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under With today’s larger containerships…

Leading marine and fire safety equipment and service provider, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment (VIKING) is stocking ready-packaged liferafts to provide fixed-price liferaft exchange to vessels calling Japanese ports. “The world of shipping is dominated by a small group of countries,” says Henrik Uhd Christensen, CEO of VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. “Japan rates in the top three in terms of deadweight tonnage and newbuilding, so locally based shipowners have a broad set of needs for marine safety.

Marine and fire safety equipment leader VIKING Life-Saving Equipment (VIKING) and MOL Techno-Trade Ltd. (MOLTECH) have entered a strategic alliance and sole agency agreement, establishing MOLTECH as the exclusive agent for VIKING in Japan. MOLTECH will be offering the full range of VIKING’s safety solutions including the industry leading Shipowner Agreements (SOA) - agreements that combine global product availability and servicing with financing in fixed price structures and the convenience of VIKING’s management of the service schedules. The Shipowner Agreements are planned and monitored from a single point of contact and were an industry game-changer, when first introduced back in 2009.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) and MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. (MOL Tech; President: Hidehiro Harada) today announced that the energy-saving Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF), developed by MOL, West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd., and Mikado Japan, Ltd., and sold by MOL Tech, has now been ordered for 2,000 vessels worldwide. The PBCF is an energy-saving device attached to the propellers of a vessel. It breaks up the hub vortex generated behind the rotating propeller…