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KirbyMOL REPORT 2020
Year ended March 31, 2020
Moving the World
Food, apparel, medicines, automobiles, oil, gas, iron ore, wood…
We deliver a variety of essential goods that society needs to keep breathing.
Marine transport acts as the arteries that deliver the world’s lifeblood.
As long as human activity carries on, we will continue to move the world.
This is our resolution and the source of our pride.
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The Mission We Aim to Fulfill
MOL Group Corporate Principles
As a multi-modal transport group, we will:
1
Actively contribute to global economic growth and development,
anticipating the needs of our customers and the challenges of this new era
Strive to maximize corporate value through creativity, operating efficiency,
and promotion of ethical and transparent management
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3
Nurture and protect the natural environment by maintaining
the highest standards of operational safety and navigation
Our Vision for the Future
Long-Term Vision
To develop the MOL Group into an excellent and resilient organization that
leads the world shipping industry
The Fundamental Values
for Guidance in Daily Business Execution and Decision-Making
Challenge
Honesty
Accountability
Reliability
Teamwork
Innovate through insight
Do the right thing
Commit to acting with a sense of ownership
Gain the trust of customers
Build a strong team
Contents
Our Vision, Our Value
04 A Message from the CEO
10 History of the MOL Group’s Value Creation
12 Value-Creation Model
14 The Outcomes of Value Creation
For Our Sustainable Growth
16 Our Path toward Sustainable
Enhancement of Corporate Value
18 Overview of Rolling Plan 2020
MOL’s Communication Tools
MOL produces the following publications as a means of promoting
communication with stakeholders. The latest versions of all reports
can be found on our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/ir/
• MOL Report
• Investor Guidebook
• Market Data
Scope of the Report
The MOL Group, comprising Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., 368 consolidated
subsidiaries, 103 equity-method affiliates, and other affiliated compa-
nies (If the subject of activities or data are limited, it is indicated by
notes in the report.)
* Throughout this report, “the Company” refers to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Referenced Guidelines
• “International Integrated Reporting Framework,” International
22 Overview of Operations by Segment
Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)
29 Market Position (Fleet Size)
30 Risk Management
32 A Message from the CFO
34 Special Feature:
MOL’s Environmental and
Emission-Free Businesses
38 A Message from the Chief Environment and
Sustainability Officer
40 Overview of MOL’s Sustainability Issues
(Materiality)
42 Value-Added Transport Services
46 Marine and Global Environmental Conservation
50
Innovation for Development in
Marine Technology
52 Human Resource Cultivation and
Community Development
56 A Tripartite Discussion on Corporate Governance
• “Guidance for Collaborative Value Creation,” Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry
Index for Reverse Lookup of Topics in the Guidance for
Collaborative Value Creation
1. Values
P2, P4–9, P38–39
2. Business Model
P4–9, P12–13, P16–29, P34–37, P72
3. Sustainability and Growth
P4–13, P16–28, P30–55, P68, P69
60 Board of Directors, Audit & Supervisory Board
4. Strategy
Members, and Executive Officers
63 Corporate Governance
68 Compliance
69 Social Responsibility
Data Section
70 Financial and Non-Financial Highlights
72 The MOL Group’s Global Network
73
Information Disclosure and External Recognition
74 Glossary
75 Shareholder Information
Underlined words in this report are
explained in the Glossary on page 74.
P4–9, P16–28, P32–37, P40–55
5. Growth (Performance) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
P14–15, P32–33, P70–71
6. Governance
P56–67
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements concerning MOL’s
future plans, strategies, and performance. These statements represent
assumptions and beliefs based on information currently available* and
are not historical facts. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that include, but are not
limited to, economic conditions, worldwide competition in the shipping
industry, customer demand, foreign currency exchange rates, price of
bunker, tax laws, and other regulations. MOL therefore cautions read-
ers that actual results may differ materially from these predictions.
* As of September 2020, unless otherwise specified
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A Message from the CEO
We are steadily holding course on our management vision to “Become a
Group of Business Units with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective Areas.”
While minimizing the impact of unfavorable market conditions, we are
making preparations to turn around businesses and take aggressive
measures during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Junichiro Ikeda
President & CEO
An Oil Spill off Mauritius Caused by a Vessel Chartered by MOL
Please allow me to begin by saying with respect to the
shareholders, and all other stakeholders. Our immedi-
oil spill that resulted after the WAKASHIO, a Capesize
ate response to the accident has included dispatching
bulker chartered by MOL, ran aground off Mauritius,
personnel to the site and providing equipment to remove
I am painfully aware of the magnitude of our social
the spilled oil. Going forward, we intend to cooperate
responsibility given the serious effect of this accident on
and coordinate with the governments of Mauritius and
the natural environment as well as on the lives of the
Japan, related agencies, and the ship owner for an
residents of the tourism-oriented country. I would like
extended period of time to restore the natural environ-
to offer my deepest apologies for the considerable
ment and contribute to the local community.
concern and inconvenience caused to our customers,
Our Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Changes in the
Near-Term Business Environment
In fiscal 2019 ended March 31, 2020, the Dry Bulk,
Committee, we have mobilized all of our in-house
Energy Transport, and Product Transport business units
were all in the black, and MOL posted ordinary profit of
experts to appropriately assess the status of the global
economy—as far as is possible amid continuing uncer-
¥55.0 billion. Originally, this result was to be a stepping
tainty. Based on the committee’s assessment, we are
stone in fiscal 2020 on the way to moving very close to
taking steps both to minimize losses and to expedite our
our “projected medium-term profit levels,” namely,
return to a growth trajectory during and after the pan-
ordinary profit around ¥80.0 billion to ¥100.0 billion.
demic. Our Rolling Plan 2020, announced in June, was
Unfortunately, we have been forced to revise time frames
created in this way—based on the deliberations and
in light of the dramatic changes in the business environ-
mega-trend forecasts made by the committee. Going
ment stemming from the current COVID-19 pandemic.
forward, we will continue to closely monitor ever-chang-
Under the leadership of the Rolling Plan Special
ing situations and revise strategies in a timely manner
Committee, which is chaired by an executive vice presi-
while giving clear explanations to our stakeholders with
dent and primarily comprises members of the Executive
total transparency.
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Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020A Message from the CEO
An Overview of Fiscal 2019
Before explaining our measures and strategies during and
competence—we have gained confidence by our moves
after the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to review our
toward becoming a one-stop solutions provider. In
performance in fiscal 2019. The most noteworthy achieve-
offshore businesses, our potential key growth areas,
ment was realizing a profit in the Product Transport
we concluded a long-term FSRU contract for Hong Kong
Business Unit’s containership business, in its second year
and agreed to take part in a new service operation vessel
after integration. While there is still a gap to be filled in
project for offshore wind power farms off Taiwan.
reaching the expected profit level, we were able to prove
In environmental and emission-free businesses, which
that integration was the right decision. Even within MOL’s
are also positioned as key growth areas, the long-running
long, 130-year history, I believe that this accomplishment
Wind Challenger Project* has moved to a more concrete
marked an extremely important turning point.
phase of exploring the installation on an actual coal carrier.
The Dry Bulk Business Unit, despite generally lack-
Furthermore, our initiatives for the utilization of LNG to
luster market conditions, was able to firmly post stable
reduce environmental impact made considerable progress,
earnings thanks to its long-term contracts. Although
including placing orders for LNG-fueled ferries and coal
stricter restrictions on sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions were
carriers and taking part in an LNG-to-Powership business.
imposed from January 2020, we successfully acquired
The aforementioned initiatives are representative
new contracts by offering timely propositions to meet
examples of how we steadily advanced toward quantita-
customer needs, such as installing SOx scrubbers on
tive and qualitative medium-term goals and invested in
vessels, which helps lower fuel costs.
potential key growth areas. We view fiscal 2019 as an
Meanwhile, the Energy Transport Business Unit
extremely productive year for the MOL Group.
accumulated new contracts for LNG carriers and
performed existing long-term contracts as planned.
Furthermore, a range of initiatives were steadily
advanced. For example, in the chemical tanker
business—a field in which MOL has particular
* The Wind Challenger Project is a joint industry–academia research project that
aims to significantly reduce fuel consumption by fully using wind power through
the utilization of massive sail panels on vessels. MOL has been taking part in
and promoting the Wind Challenger Project since it started in 2009. For details,
please see page 35.
An Analysis of the Business Environment
the pandemic. It is conceivable that production bases
Lastly, I am focusing on environmental issues. As a
over dependent on China could be reviewed and in turn
consequence of having faced a major crisis in the form
dispersed to other regions. However, China’s presence
of the potentially fatal COVID-19, which has affected the
as a market and as a production base will remain
whole of society, people may become more concerned
enormous. While a global economy without China is
about environmental issues because, in a similar way to
highly improbable, we will need to continuously assess
a pandemic, they could easily have a severe worldwide
how commodity flows could change going forward.
impact. Some say that the world’s preoccupation with
The second theme is acceleration of digital
infectious disease countermeasures will result in
transformation, including factory automation. If social
environmental issues taking a back seat, but I do not
distancing takes a firm hold due to the COVID-19
believe it will be a matter of one set of issues taking
pandemic, further automation is likely. Technology
priority over the other.
is also closely linked to the potential supply chain
In fiscal 2020, the divergence between the near-term
restructuring mentioned earlier. The repatriation of
issues that we face and the medium- to long-term
production bases to developed nations comes with
issues that we must also consider is much greater than
challenges such as increased labor costs and shortage
in a normal fiscal year. For this reason, we have shown
of labor force, but technology could provide a solution to
the way forward in our Rolling Plan 2020 both in terms
these challenges. In marine transport operations, digital
of countermeasures for the current emergency and
transformation is certain to advance as companies
strategies based on the medium- to long-term changes
introduce a range of technologies that enable them
to check vessels and cargo situations remotely and
to provide customers with status reports.
that are likely during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Strategies of Rolling Plan 2020 and Fiscal 2020 Priority Strategies
In fiscal 2020, the MOL Group’s most important objective
the environment undergoes seismic change, businesses
will be to return to a growth trajectory. Accordingly,
suffering greater-than-expected damage are the ones
while focusing efforts on near-term business continuity
with hidden weaknesses, while businesses achieving
and minimization of the impact from unfavorable market
firm results have unheralded strengths. It could be said
conditions, we will take measures to get back on a
that fiscal 2020 has given us an opportunity to rigorously
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, MOL’s business
the Dry Bulk and Energy Transport business units has
growth track as soon as possible worldwide during
reassess the strengths and weaknesses of each
environment has changed dramatically compared with
been relatively limited as they are supported by long-
and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I want to
business and to revise our business portfolio’s priority
that of fiscal 2019. The Product Transport Business Unit,
term contracts. Nonetheless, the Group’s near-term
emphasize that even amid the current changes in
fields accordingly. For example, the Group’s offshore
which carries finished goods, has seen a huge drop
business environment is expected to remain adverse for
operating conditions, our management vision, “Become
businesses span many different fields, such as
in cargo movements. In particular, the short-term
a while. The aforementioned mobilization of in-house
a Group of Business Units with No. 1 Competitiveness
businesses related to oil, LNG, and offshore wind power.
performance of the car carrier business has been
business intelligence to predict macroeconomic
in Respective Areas,” and the three core strategies that
If we consider the energy mix going forward together
significantly impacted. On the other hand, the effect on
conditions as well as mega-trends in transport demand
for our main cargoes has led us to conclude that cargo
movements in most business fields are unlikely to return
to 2019 levels until around 2022.
However, looking at the world during and after the
pandemic from a medium- to long-term point of view,
I believe that rather than a sudden complete change in
society, we are more likely to experience a strengthening
of existing trends or an acceleration of changes.
Particularly, I am focusing on three themes.
The first theme concerns the extent of impacts on
globalization and supply chain restructuring. The spread
of COVID-19 underscored the risk inherent in
concentrating production bases in a single region, an
issue the business world was mulling over even before
will help realize this vision have not wavered. These are
Portfolio Strategies: “Concentrated investment of
with our weaknesses and strengths, the fields we should
expand will become evident. This process will further
management resources in the business fields where MOL
advance our efforts to “Become a Group of Business
has strengths, which will mainly be offshore businesses”;
Units with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective Areas.”
Business Strategies: “Provision of ‘stress-free services,’
In fiscal 2020, we will concentrate on the following
which MOL will offer from the customer’s perspective”;
measures. Initially, with the aim of adapting to changes in
and Environmental Strategies: “Promotion of
the present business environment and minimizing losses,
environmental strategies and development of the
we will make an all-out effort to implement defensive
emission-free business into a core business.”
measures. MOL’s resilience to market conditions has been
In the fiscal 2019 integrated report, MOL REPORT
heightened to a considerable degree by very painful
2019, I explained the particular meaning and importance
structural reforms implemented over the past 10 years.
that achieving “No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective
However, in light of the ongoing changes in transport
Areas” has for me. In just the type of challenging
demand, we will take thorough measures to reduce our
environment we are currently facing, the strengths and
market exposure even further. We will also revise our
weaknesses of each business will come to light. When
investment plans by narrowing down the number of new
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Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
A Message from the CEO
projects. Concurrent with these efforts, the MOL Group will
clear competitive advantages or where we can provide
senior management team and all employees as
strategies of our current Rolling Plan 2020, we
implement offensive strategies aimed at strengthening
high-value-added services. With respect to business
a consequence of the accident. In light of past
announced MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0 in June
competitiveness by (1) developing new businesses, (2)
models, if there are fields in which the MOL Group is able
experiences, we have concentrated our efforts on safe
2020. Aiming to move steadily toward the greenhouse gas
reducing cost, and (3) reforming business models,
to enhance customers’ value chains by offering stress-free
operation. However, the Mauritius accident has made us
reduction targets of the Paris Agreement and the
depending on the characteristics of each business. In
services, we will actively consider shifting our business
very much aware of the shortcomings that remain. We
International Maritime Organization (IMO), we completely
particular, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic we
domains, even upstream or downstream from the fields
consider the accident as a turning point at which we will
redrafted our previous MOL Group Environmental Vision
intend to focus even more strongly on qualitative growth.
we are currently engaged in. Offshore businesses have
reform the tangible and intangible components of our
2030, setting more ambitious specific targets and
By “qualitative growth” I mean transforming the entire
taken the lead in adopting this approach, but I believe
vessel operation management so that, in retrospect,
announced our commitment to them.
organization into a leaner, more profitable business entity
similar opportunities do exist for other businesses.
MOL earns a reputation for having transformed itself
Under the leadership of the chief environment
and increasing our presence in fields where we can realize
Strengthening Management Foundations for Sustainable Growth
With the aim of laying foundations to further accelerate
current personnel to engage in a more diverse range of
measures to realize our vision, in fiscal 2020 we added
tasks, or being able to change systems and personnel
“Enhancement of organizational strength” as a new
deployment extremely flexibly in line with projects and
management strategy. In order to expand into fields
priorities. There may also be room for improvement in
beyond traditional marine transport and seek qualitative
relationships between the Head Office and subsidiaries
growth, this is an appropriate time to conduct an overall
and work allocation among Group companies. Over the
assessment of whether our utilization of human
coming three years, we aim to increase productivity by
resources, work styles, and organizational structure are
15%, redeploying the freed-up personnel to growing
optimized and contributing directly to the realization of
business fields.
our strategic goals. With this in mind, I have assigned
In addition, with the COVID-19 pandemic expected to
the executive vice president who presides over the cor-
continue, we must take rigorous measures to prevent
porate divisions with revamping our organization.
infection among business partners and our employees in
Furthermore, the Work-Style Reforms Committee, which
order to fulfill our social mission. In addition to the existing
I chair, and the executive officer responsible for the
business continuity plan (BCP), in February 2020 we
Human Resources Division are working together to
launched the COVID-19 Countermeasures Taskforce, which
consolidate and mobilize expertise and resources scat-
establishes infection prevention and business continuity
tered across the MOL Group and enhance productivity.
measures. Fortunately, no impediments to our business
I am using the word “productivity” here in a broad sense.
continuity have arisen to date. However, we will continue to
I view the meaning of productivity as not only doing the
carefully monitor the situation of the pandemic and imple-
same work with fewer people but also enabling our
ment appropriate countermeasures when required.
Our Approach to Sustainability
In 2019, during the in-house discussions on formulating
MOL’s Sustainability Issues (Materiality), we reconfirmed
that contributions to the solution of such social issues
as those set out by the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) are in fact the existing value of our business and
directly connected to our medium- to long-term growth.
Positioned as the central Sustainability Issue of our
Materiality, “Value-added transport services” conforms
with the first of the MOL Group Corporate Principles,
which calls on the Group to “Actively contribute to global
economic growth and development.”
It is extremely regrettable that, rather than providing
added value, we have created many difficulties for local
residents as a result of the recent accident off Mauritius.
Moreover, the accident violates not only the
commitments represented in our Sustainability Issues
but also one of the MOL Group Corporate Principles,
namely, the commitment to “Nurture and protect
the natural environment by maintaining the highest
standards of operational safety and navigation.” We use
an extremely large fleet of massive vessels to transport
huge volumes of cargo worldwide. By realizing the
positive aspect of our businesses, we can enrich the
world. By actualizing their negative potential, we could
cause harm instead. These self-evident truths have been
indelibly engraved upon the minds of members of the
into a safer, more reliable entity.
and sustainability officer (CESO), a position newly
Among the impacts that our businesses have on
established in April 2020, we will continue advancing
society, negative effects on the environment rank
both initiatives that maximize the positive effects we
alongside accidents as phenomena that must be
have on society and initiatives that mitigate the negative
minimized. In particular, we must step up climate change
effects such as environmental impact, thereby realizing
countermeasures. To this end, in accordance with the
sustainable improvement of the social value and
environmental strategy that is one of the three core
economic value that we provide.
In Conclusion
Worldwide, lockdowns of cities and restrictions on inter-
and meet the expectations of stakeholders, we cannot
national travel in response to the current COVID-19
confine ourselves to traditional marine transport. With
pandemic are still limiting freedom of movement.
this in mind, we will achieve growth by reassessing the
However, as long as day-to-day life continues, energy
sources of our competitive strengths and by venturing
and daily commodities will be essential. This fundamen-
undauntedly into new fields where we can take full
tal demand has given me a strong appreciation of the
advantage of these strengths. Due to the particular
fact that our social mission as a company engaged in
characteristics of the marine transport business, some
international marine transport is to deliver supplies to
of the fields in which we are currently conducting proac-
those who need them at all times—even in emergencies.
tive investment may take some years to bear fruit in the
Further, the running aground of the WAKASHIO has
form of returns. For this reason, through MOL reports
made me acutely aware of the enormity of the social
and other means, we will redouble our efforts to
ramifications accompanying an accident. The MOL Group
increase and improve our explanations so that stake-
will return to the fundamentals of safe, reliable trans-
holders feel confident about trusting MOL as a growing
port and ensure that the Group fulfills its role as part of
company with competitive advantages.
society’s infrastructure.
As we move forward, I would like to ask our share-
Meanwhile, as I have explained in the past, if we are
holders and stakeholders for their continued under-
to sustainably enhance corporate value going forward
standing and support.
A tough business environment
provides a real test of a company’s
competitiveness in respective areas.
For this reason, we must keep on
improving ourselves.
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Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
History of the MOL Group’s Value Creation
Throughout its more than 130 years of history, MOL has grown into one of the world’s largest full-line marine transport
groups by constantly anticipating the needs of its customers and the demands of the future, while overcoming various
challenges along the way. What has enabled this is MOL’s “spirit of challenge and innovation.” MOL will continue to nur-
ture this spirit as it heads into the next 130 years.
Office building at the time of O.S.K. Line’s founding
Prewar
Expanding the Sea Routes Crucial to the
Development of Japan’s Foreign Trade
The founding of MOL can be traced back to Osaka Shosen
Kaisha (O.S.K. Line), which was established in 1884 by ship
owners in the Seto Inland Sea area. At that time, the sakoku
(closed-country policy) era of Japan had come to an end.
Accordingly, the need for international marine transport rose
dramatically. From the 1890s to the 1910s, the Company
vigorously expanded into international shipping, beginning
with short-sea and then expanding into deep-sea shipping.
In the 1930s, the Company’s cargo-passenger ships, repre-
senting the state of the art in Japanese shipbuilding at the
time entered service on the South America route. In these
ways, the Company has grown as a foundation underpinning
the development of foreign trade in Japan.
KINAI MARU, a high-speed cargo ship
Entered service in 1930, greatly reducing sailing time between Yokohama and New York
ARGENTINA MARU, a cargo-passenger ship
Entered service in 1939, representing the state of the art in Japanese ship-
building at the time
KINKASAN MARU, the world’s
first automated vessel
Entered service in 1961, with
automation helping to reduce
the required number of crew
members from 52 to 38
Japan’s Postwar Rapid Economic Growth Period
Growing into a World-Leading Full-Line Marine
Transport Group Amid the Postwar Recovery and Rapid
Economic Expansion of Japan
A large portion of Japanese merchant fleets suffered cata-
strophic damage during World War II. Amid Japan’s successful
recovery from the devastation of war, MOL became an integral
part of the development of the Japanese economy through its
marine transport services. While doing so, the Company grew
into a full-line marine transport group that possesses a wide
range of vessels. The Company worked to promptly respond to
the need for specialized and large-sized vessels and repeatedly
took on challenges from a technological standpoint, including
launching the world’s first automated vessel that maneuvers
the main engine from the bridge and centrally controls the
machineries from the engine control room and Japan’s first
specialized car carrier. This approach enabled MOL to create
new value and opened up the opportunities for business field
expansion.
OPPAMA MARU, a specialized
OPPAMA MARU, a specialized
car carrier
car carrier
Entered service in 1965, as
Entered service in 1965, as
Japan’s first specialized car
Japan’s first specialized car
carrier
carrier
SPIRIT OF MOL, a training vessel
SPIRIT OF MOL, a training vessel
Delivered in 2007 as a Company vessel for
Delivered in 2007 as a Company vessel for
training officers and senior crew mem-
training officers and senior crew mem-
bers, by the time it was retired in 2013 the
bers, by the time it was retired in 2013 the
SPIRIT OF MOL had helped to produce
SPIRIT OF MOL had helped to produce
more than 2,200 senior sailor candidates.
more than 2,200 senior sailor candidates.
IWATESAN, a VLCC
IWATESAN, a VLCC
This 300,000-ton class VLCC was delivered
This 300,000-ton class VLCC was delivered
in 2003. It had the maximum crude oil
in 2003. It had the maximum crude oil
carrying capacity of any ship capable of
carrying capacity of any ship capable of
navigating through the Malacca Straits.
navigating through the Malacca Straits.
The Rising BRICs Economies, Centered on
China, and a Boom in Marine Transport
Becoming a Top Global Player Following Remarkable
Growth in the Resource and Energy Transport
After the 1999 merger with Navix Line, which was particularly
strong in transporting natural resources and energy, MOL
aggressively invested in these fields, predicting China’s eco-
nomic development and increased demand for natural
resources. The Company continued a significant scale-up of
its fleet, centering on dry bulkers and tankers, and became
one of the world’s largest corporate groups in terms of fleet
size in service. Reaping the benefits of these upfront invest-
ments, profit in fiscal 2007 reached a record high, led by the
unprecedented boom in marine transport that was driven by
the rapid expansion of imports in China.
BRASIL MARU, an iron ore carrier
BRASIL MARU, an iron ore carrier
This vessel was delivered in 2007.
This vessel was delivered in 2007.
As one of the world’s largest iron ore
As one of the world’s largest iron ore
carriers at that time, it helped reduce
carriers at that time, it helped reduce
unit transportation costs while reducing
unit transportation costs while reducing
environmental impact.
environmental impact.
NIPPON MARU (third generation), a cruise ship
Delivered in 1990, the vessel gained its present color as part of a large-scale refurbishment in
2010. The NIPPON MARU continues to be loved as one of Japan’s most quintessential cruise ships.
At Present
Leveraging the Strengths MOL Has Accumulated over
the Years and Expanding into New Business Fields to
Meet the Needs of the New Era
Against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown and the
oversupply of vessels, the shipping market stumbled and has
continued to struggle with lasting stagnation. To respond to the
increasingly difficult business environment, MOL implemented
the Business Structural Reforms, which targeted the dry bulker
business and carried out the integration of the containership
businesses of three Japanese shipping companies. Additionally,
the Company invested preferentially in its areas of strength,
including the LNG carrier business, while working to expand
into the new fields in offshore businesses and environmental
and emission-free businesses to meet the needs of the new
era. MOL continues to pursue challenge and innovation as a
global leader in marine transport.
A service operation vessel (SOV)*1
scheduled for completion in 2022
The Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT)
The Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT)
Containers of Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE),
Containers of Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE),
which entered business in April 2018 are loaded.
which entered business in April 2018 are loaded.
SEAJACKS SCYLLA,
an SEP vessel
This SEP vessel*2, one
of the world’s largest in
operation, is owned by
Seajacks International
Limited, in which the
Company owns a stake.
*2 Self-elevating platform (SEP) vessels are used for the
installation of offshore wind power generation systems.
VLADIMIR VIZE (left),
VLADIMIR VIZE (left),
an ice-breaking LNG carrier
an ice-breaking LNG carrier
Delivered in 2019, MOL plays a key
Delivered in 2019, MOL plays a key
role in pioneering the Northern
role in pioneering the Northern
Sea Route by providing marine
Sea Route by providing marine
transport for the Yamal project,
transport for the Yamal project,
which is the world’s first project to
which is the world’s first project to
use an Arc7-class ice-breaking
use an Arc7-class ice-breaking
LNG carrier.
LNG carrier.
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*1 Specialized vessels that support maintenance operations for offshore wind farms
Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Value-Creation Model
Input
Resources Supporting MOL Group
Manufactured Capital
A wide array of around 800 vessels
Sales and ship management
offices in 43 countries and regions
Intellectual Capital
Sophisticated knowledge and
expertise in seamanship and
nautical phenomena
The technological capability to enable
completion of high-quality ships and
maintain them in good condition for
an extended period of time
Project-development capabilities
based on an understanding of
customers and markets
Human Capital
Highly diverse land-based person-
nel and crew members numbering
around 15,000
Human capital who share the
“MOL CHART” spirit
Social and Relationship Capital
A history and track record extend-
ing across more than 130 years
Customer networks and partner-
ships in Japan and overseas
A presence in maritime affairs
clusters around the world
Natural Capital
A natural environment that
sustains business continuity
Financial Capital
A financial base that underpins
reliable performance with long-term
contracts extending over 20 years
Stable cash flow generated from a
diverse portfolio of vessel types and
businesses
The MOL
Group’s
Strengths
A Diverse Fleet
Lineup
We meet customers’
needs flexibly with
a highly diverse fleet
that is also one of
the world’s largest
in scale.
History and
Experience
We provide highly
reliable transport
services backed by
extensive experience
and a long
track record.
Global-Scale
Networks
We develop our busi-
ness by leveraging
world-spanning sales
and ship management
networks in combina-
tion with partnerships
in various regions.
Our Business
By reinforcing our business foundation through a repeated cycle of value
creation combined with reinvestment and the accumulation of knowledge,
we aim to realize our management vision to “Become a Group of
Business Units with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective Areas.”
Outcome
Dry Bulk
Business Unit
¥277.1 billion
Revenues:
Ordinary profit: ¥12.0 billion
Vessels:
263
P22
Iron ore and coal carriers
Small and medium-sized
bulkers, short sea ships
Wood chip carriers
Energy Transport
Business Unit
¥289.3 billion
Revenues:
Ordinary profit: ¥25.4 billion
Vessels:
363
The MOL
Group’s
Business
Infrastructure
P24
Tankers
LNG carriers,
offshore businesses
Coal carriers
Product Transport
Business Unit
¥475.4 billion
Revenues:
Ordinary profit: ¥6.7 billion
Vessels:
186
P26
Containerships, terminal and
logistics business
Car carriers
Coastal RoRo ships
Associated
Businesses
Revenues:
¥96.5 billion
Ordinary profit: ¥12.3 billion
P28
Real estate, tugboat, cruise ship,
trading, and other businesses
Note: “Revenues” and “Ordinary profit” figures are for fiscal 2019. “Vessels”
is the number of vessels at the end of March 2020.)
Strategies for
Sustainable
Growth
Progress on Management Plan,
“Rolling Plan 2020”
P18
Three Core Strategies to Realize
the Management Vision
1
2
3
Portfolio Strategies
Concentrated investment of management resources in
the business fields where MOL has strengths, which
will mainly be offshore businesses
Business Strategies
Provision of “stress-free services,” which
MOL will offer from the customer’s perspective
Environmental Strategies
Promotion of environmental strategies and
development of the emission-free business into
a core business
Technology Innovation Unit
Safety Operations Headquarters
P43
P50
Our Approach to
Sustainability Issues
P40
Value-Added Transport Services
Marine and Global Environmental
Conservation
Innovation for Development in
Marine Technology
Human Resource Cultivation and
Community Development
Governance and Compliance to
Support Businesses
Enhancement of
Organizational Strength
(Organization Refresh)
Project promotion
through cross-
organizational
collaboration
Groupwide
improvement in
productivity
Reinvestment and the accumulation of knowledge
Value we provide
Economic Value
Profit Generation
Fiscal 2019 Results
Projected Medium-Term
Levels
Ordinary profit
¥55.0 billion
¥80.0 billion–
¥100.0 billion
ROE
6.3%
8–12%
Gearing ratio
2.14 times
2.0 times or less
Return to Shareholders
Dividend payout ratio
20% policy for the time being
Aim to create both
economic value and
social value
sustainably
Social Value
Contribution to customers’ value-creation
by linking supply chains worldwide,
spanning from raw materials to products
Production of technological innovations that help
resolve social issues
Contribution to reduction of
environmental impact
Provision of high-quality employment and
skill-development opportunities
12
13
Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
The Outcomes of Value Creation
Economic Value
Revenues / Ordinary Profit
Gearing Ratio /
Net Gearing Ratio / Equity Ratio
Net Income (Loss)* per Share /
Cash Dividends per Share /
Dividend Payout Ratio
Fiscal 2019
Ordinary Profit
End of fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2019
¥55.0 billion
Equity Ratio
24.5%
Cash Dividends per Share ¥65.00
(¥ billion)
(¥ billion)
(Times)
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
1,155.4
55.0
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
200
150
100
50
0
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0
(%)
50
40
30
2.14
1.94
24.5
20
(¥)
500
250
0
–250
–1,500
(%)
50
272
23.8
25
65
0
–1,425
-396
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
10
0
Cash Flows
ROA (Based on Ordinary Profit) / ROE
Credit Ratings
Fiscal 2019
As of August 2020
¥(6.5) billion
ROE
6.3%
JCR
A–
Fiscal 2019
Free Cash Flow
(¥ billion)
300
200
100
0
–100
–200
–300
100.7
–6.5
–107.2
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
(%)
10
0
–10
–30
(%)
5
0
6.3
2.62.62.6
–25.8
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
Type of Rating
Rating
JCR
Short-term debt rating
(CP)
J–1
Long-term senior debt
(issuer) rating
A–
(Stable)
Long-term debt rating
A–
R&I
Issuer rating
BBB
(Stable)
Short-term debt rating
(CP)
a–2
Long-term debt rating
BBB
Moody’s
Corporate family rating
Ba3
(Stable)
Revenues (left)
Ordinary profit (right)
Gearing ratio (left)
Net gearing ratio (left)
Equity ratio (right)
Net income (loss) per share (left)
Cash dividends applicable to the year (left)
Dividend payout ratio (right)
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Free cash flow
ROA (right)
ROE (left)
Revenues were down ¥78.6 billion year on year, mainly
due to a decline in revenues from the containership
business. However, ordinary profit increased ¥16.5
billion year on year due to stable earnings from
medium- to long-term contracts in the Dry Bulk and
Energy Transport businesses; the accumulation of
profits stemming from favorable market rates for
tankers in the second half; and in the Product
Transport Business, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd.
(ONE), a containership business affiliated company,
becoming profitable in the second year of its integration.
In an effort to streamline our balance sheet, we
reduced interest-bearing debt ¥9.1 billion from the
previous fiscal year-end and lightened total assets by
¥35.7 billion. Shareholders’ equity was down ¥11.7
billion year on year despite a ¥21.7 billion rise in
retained earnings, owing to lower accumulated other
comprehensive income. As a result, the net gearing
ratio worsened 0.06 point, and the equity ratio was
down 0.1 percentage point.
Growth in net income was limited to ¥5.7 billion year
on year despite a larger rise in operating profit,
because the extraordinary income/losses deteriorated
due to an allowance recorded for doubtful accounts
related to equity-method affiliates under the Dry Bulk
Business and a loss related to business restructuring
in the containership business. In line with our policy of
maintaining a consolidated dividend payout ratio of
20%, we distributed an interim dividend of ¥30 per
share and a year-end dividend of ¥35, in association
with the rise in net profit.
* Profit (loss) Attributable to Owners of Parent
Social Value
While continuing to invest aggressively in LNG carriers
and offshore businesses, we maintained free cash
flow to equilibrium at fiscal 2019 through disposing of
assets and so forth. Going forward, taking into account
business downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,
we plan to reduce our cash flow budget for new
investment (excluding projects on which decisions
have already been made) to ¥100.0 billion over the
next three years as well as generate further cash by
selling off assets, businesses, and projects so as to
improve our free cash flow.
Total assets were down from the previous fiscal
year-end, while ordinary profit improved, resulting in
0.8 percentage point higher ROA year on year, to 2.6%.
Increase in profit attributable to owners of parent also
prompted a 1.1 percentage points rise in ROE, to 6.3%.
The operating environment is expected to remain
opaque due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we
will continue working to bolster our profitability and
improve our financial standing in an effort to further
enhance our credit ratings.
Continuous Days of Achieving 4ZEROES
LTIF*1
(Lost Time Injury Frequency)
Average Downtime*2 /
Downtime Frequency Rate*3
Number of Environmental and
Emission-Free Business-Related Ships*4
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Number and Percentage of Women
in Managerial Positions*5
Fiscal 2019
LTIF
Fiscal 2019
Downtime
Frequency Rate
0.38
1.00 per ship
Expected Number of Ships
18
End of fiscal 2023
Fiscal 2019
CO2 Emissions
(Scope 1)
15,304 thousand tons
End of fiscal 2019
Percentage of Women in
Managerial Positions
(Hours per ship
per year)
(Number of accidents
per ship per year)
Average among all industries in 2019 (1.80)
Average among marine transport industry
in 2019 (1.35)
MOL’s target since fiscal 2015 (0.7 or below)
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
0
40
30
20
10
0
MOL’s target for average
downtime per ship
(24 hours or less)
MOL’s target for downtime frequency rate
(1.00 or below)
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
Source of reference values: Overview of Results of
the 2019 Survey on Industrial Accidents,” Ministry
of Health, Labour and Welfare
Average downtime per ship (left)
Downtime frequency rate (right)
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
MOL has consistently remained below the target value
of 0.7 or less for LTIF since fiscal 2015. Our figure was
particularly low in fiscal 2019, at 0.38. This number is
substantially lower than the figures gathered by the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on the average
across all industries (1.80 in 2019) and the average for
the marine transport business (1.35 in 2019).
In fiscal 2019, our downtime frequency rate was 1.00
per ship, meeting our target of 1.00 or less. However,
average downtime in fiscal 2019 was 39.58 hours per
ship, significantly above our target of 24.00 hours per
ship, due to equipment malfunctions on newly built
ships, etc.
(Number of ships)
20
15
10
5
0
4
3
1
20/3
17
2
7
8
13
1
4
8
18
2
8
8
7
3
4
21/3
(Expected)
22/3
(Expected)
23/3
(Expected)
24/3
(Expected)
Ships related to LNG supply
Ships related to alternative fuels
Ships related to renewable energy
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
(Thousand tons)
20,000
18,676
18,203
17,774
16,369
15,304
16/3
17/3
18/3
19/3
20/3
Following the strategies formulated in our Rolling
Plans, we focus on environmental and emission-free
businesses. In the next few years, we expect to begin
reaping the fruits of the seeds we have sown over the
past years. By the end of fiscal 2023, we are expecting
to have 18 environmental and emission-free business-
related ships, which include ships in areas of LNG
supply, alternative fuels, and renewable energy.
Our CO2 emissions in Scope 1 have declined steadily,
due in part to the transfer of our containership
business to ONE, the newly established integrated
company, in fiscal 2018. As is stated in MOL Group
Environmental Vision 2.0, by 2050 we aim to reduce
GHG emissions from ships by 50%, compared with
2008 levels.
6.5 %
(%)
10
(People)
50
40
30
20
10
0
6.5
25
20/3
21/3
(Expected)
22/3
(Expected)
23/3
(Expected)
24/3
(Expected)
8
6
4
2
0
Number of women in managerial positions (left)
Percentage of women in managerial positions (right)
We have set 8% as our target for the percentage of
women in managerial positions, as we believe that
promoting participation and advancement of women
helps enhance corporate value. We expect to reach
this goal by the end of fiscal 2023, reflecting an
increase in the total number of women we hire.
As of June 2020
Zero serious
marine incidents
548 days
Zero
oil pollution
2,571 days
Zero fatal
accidents
228 days
Zero serious
cargo damage
548 days
We have set KPIs for continuous days of zero accidents
in the four categories indicated above. We share these
KPIs internally in an effort to heighten awareness
toward operational safety. However, regretfully we
will have to turn the count back to the beginning in
two categories, “zero serious marine incidents” and
“zero oil pollution,” due to a grounding and oil spill
incident of the WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker
chartered by MOL, in August 2020.
*1 The number of work-related accidents per one million hours worked. Includes any workplace illness or injury that prevents a worker from resuming even a reduced workload on that day.
*2 The amount of downtime due to mechanical malfunction or accident per ship per year
*3 The number of mechanical malfunctions or accidents that result in downtime per ship per year
*4 Includes only ships with a certain ownership share
*5 Unconsolidated basis excluding loaned employees, contract employees, part-timers, etc., but including expatriate employees
14
15
Our Vision, Our ValueMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Our Path toward Sustainable Enhancement of Corporate Value
Overcoming Unprecedented Changes in the Business Environment
Over the past decade, the marine transport industry has suffered from a softening of demand since the unparalleled
boom of the 2000s. The marine transport market has been sluggish for a long time due to an oversupply of ships overlap-
ping with a slowdown in global economic growth. There has been no significant improvement in the structure of the
industry even up to the present. The MOL Group, faced with such headwinds, has made a major shift toward a strong
corporate structure that supports sustainable long-term growth. This shift was accomplished by reforming the business
model to strengthen the resilience of the Group to market fluctuations and focus management resources on areas where
it can utilize its strengths.
Our Management Plan
Fiscal 2010–Fiscal 2012
Fiscal 2013
RISE 2013
Our Management Plan
Fiscal 2014–Fiscal 2016
Fiscal 2016
Single Fiscal Year
Management Plan
Business Environment
Business Environment
• The financial crisis of 2007–2008 marked the end of a
boom in global emerging economies. Nonetheless, the
market for all three major vessel types (dry bulkers,
tankers, and containerships) remained firm until around
2010, mainly due to the Chinese government’s economic
stimulus plan.
• However, the oversupply of ships gradually became
serious due to the delivery of vessels from the backlog
of orders accumulated during the marine transport
boom and remaining shipbuilding capacity.
• With global economic growth lacking in vigor, oversupply
of ships became chronic and there was no improvement
in the supply–demand balance. We were convinced that
we could not expect a return to steady upward trend in
marine transport market conditions.
• Meanwhile, the shale gas revolution created new busi-
ness opportunities in the LNG carrier field. Consolidation
among operators in the containership industry
progressed.
Outcome and Remaining Issues
Outcome and Remaining Issues
Aiming to return to a trajectory of profit growth, we
launched new strategies such as further shifting to growth
markets and strengthening business intelligence. However,
we had not shed our belief—established through our
experience of success in the 2000s—that expansion in scale
leads to greater profits. For example, we set a fleet target
of 1,200 vessels for the end of fiscal 2015.
As a result, as long-term stagnation in the marine
transport market gradually became apparent, our three
major vessel types went into the red in fiscal 2012. We
implemented Structural Reforms*1 in the dry bulker busi-
ness accompanying a large net loss in the fourth quarter of
the same fiscal year. Net income*2 recovered to ¥57.3 billion
in fiscal 2013, largely thanks to these reforms.
*1 Approximately 130 dry bulkers without cargo contracts matching
their respective procurement periods were transferred to a
Singapore subsidiary while provisions were recorded for the
difference between the rates we paid to ship owners under charter
contracts and the market rates we received.
*2 Profit (loss) attributable to owners of parent
We started to work on Business Portfolio Reforms, aimed
at concentrating investment in the ship types the Company
has strength in, Business Model Reforms that enhanced the
resilience of our fleets to market fluctuations, and Business
Area Reforms through which the Company aimed to capture
business opportunities in peripheral business fields, not only
in transportation.
The fiscal 2012 structural reforms sought to strengthen our
resilience to market exposure risks. With respect to dry bulkers
without cargo contracts matching their respective procurement
periods, however, we concluded that we had to rigorously reduce
market exposure itself. Accordingly, we decisively implemented
fundamental structural reforms at the end of fiscal 2015,
including the lackluster containership business with the aim of
achieving a recovery in the cost-competitiveness. Consequently,
we recognized a significant extraordinary loss.
After the aforementioned structural reforms, in fiscal 2016
we switched from the STEER FOR 2020 medium-term manage-
ment plan to a single fiscal year management plan to ensure
that we moved into the black in fiscal 2016. As a result, we
secured net income*2 of ¥5.2 billion in fiscal 2016. In addition, it
was decided to integrate the containership businesses of three
Japanese marine transport companies in October 2016.
Performance Trends for the Past 10 years
(¥ billion)
Ordinary profit (loss)
Net income (loss)*2
150
120
90
60
30
0
-30
-200
Our Management Plan
Fiscal 2017
Fiscal 2018
Fiscal 2019
Rolling Plan 2017 / 2018 / 2019
Business Environment
• Changes in trade patterns due to expansion of protectionism, heightened sense of slowdown in the world economy,
stagnation of maritime trade
• Lack of curtailment of excessive shipbuilding capacity
• Increasing ESG demands from customers and society, especially for climate change countermeasures
Recognizing the difficulty in obtaining appropriate and stable returns
with conventional marine transport alone, we strove to ascertain
the expected future changes in the business environment and formulate a strategy
by working back from our 10-Year Vision.
Strategies and
Results
10-Year Vision
Become a Group of Business Units with No. 1
Competitiveness in Respective Areas
Three Core Strategies to Realize the 10-Year Vision
Achievements
Portfolio Strategies
Concentrated investment of management resources in
the business fields where MOL has strengths, which will
mainly be offshore businesses
• Businesses were plotted on two axes (degree of specialization and profit
stability), and based on the matrix, investment of management resources
was focused on the offshore businesses, LNG carriers, ferries, and chemical
tanker business
Business Strategies
Provision of “stress-free services,” which MOL will offer
from the customer’s perspective
Environmental Strategies
Promotion of environmental strategies and development
of the emission-free business into a core business
• Launched industry-first information platform for customers called
“Lighthouse” (see page 51)
• Acquired new businesses (LNG-to-Powership business, etc.) through cross-
divisional business activities and use of chief country representatives
• Acquired a new contract by proposing the next-generation coal carrier,
EeneX
• Newly established MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0, which will be the
foundation of the MOL Group’s environmental strategies (see page 46)
• Began a proper examination of the installation of Wind Challenger hard sails
on ships (see page 35)
• Decided to build LNG-fueled ferries and coal carrier as alternative fuel-
powered vessels
• Made progress in the LNG fuel supply business
• Procured funding for environmental projects through green bonds (see page 49)
End of FY2016
End of FY2017
End of FY2018
End of FY2019
Projected
Medium-Term Levels
Ordinary profit
¥25.4 billion
¥31.4 billion
¥38.5 billion
¥55.0 billion
¥80.0-100.0 billion
ROE
0.9%
-8.7%
5.2%
6.3%
8-12%
Gearing ratio
1.96 times
2.19 times
2.11 times
2.14 times
2.0 times or less
Interest-bearing debt
¥1,122.4 billion
¥1,118.0 billion
¥1,105.8 billion
¥1,096.6 billion
Free cash flows
-¥56.3 billion
-¥2.4 billion
-¥143.0 billion
-¥6.5 billion
―
―
• Interest-bearing debt peaked, while investments proactively made in the LNG Carrier and Offshore Businesses.
• Free cash flows reached close to equilibrium (except a temporary factor resulting from the establishment of ONE in fiscal 2018).
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
(Fiscal year)
16
17
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Overview of Rolling Plan 2020
For details on our initiatives related to Rolling Plan 2020, please visit our website
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/ir/management/plan/index.html
Establishment of the Rolling Plan Special Committee and Conducting of a Mega-Trend Forecast
Overview of Rolling Plan 2020
The global spread of COVID-19 and the sharp drop in
crude oil prices have had a significant impact on the
Group’s future management strategy. Aiming both to
promptly plan and implement near-term measures in
response to the sudden changes in the business envi-
ronment and to review medium- to long-term strategy
from the ground up, the Company newly established the
Rolling Plan Special Committee, chaired by the execu-
tive vice president executive officer who presides over
World Economic Outlook
the sales divisions and consisting of the heads of each
business unit. Prior to the formulation of Rolling Plan
2020, the committee conducted a mega-trend forecast
regarding major cargo movements and the business
environment in order to accurately ascertain the current
situation and determine how conventional trends
have been and will be affected during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic.
World GDP Growth Rate—MOL Basic Scenario (in comparison with two scenarios provided by IMF in April 2020*)
Quarterly Growth Rates
Growth Rate (Q1/2019 = 100)
(%)
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
Expected to take until around 2022 to
return to Q1/2019 levels
Assuming a U-shaped recovery
rather than a V-shaped recovery
(2021 Average)
5.8%
3.9%
3.0%
(2022 Average)
2.0%
-3.0%
-5.0%
-5.8%
(2020 Average)
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2020
2021
2022
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2019
2020
2021
2022
IMF baseline
IMF longer outbreak
MOL basic scenario
IMF baseline
IMF longer outbreak
MOL basic scenario
* MOL’s own estimate based on IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2020: The Great Lockdown
Our Understanding of the Business Environment; Outlook for Major Cargo Movements (As of June 2020)
Dry Bulk Business
(Iron ore, coking coal,
grain, steel products, etc.)
• Cargo movements of raw materials for steel production (iron ore, coking coal) will start to recover in
2021, but recovery to 2019 level will likely take until 2022 or later. Cargo movements of grain, which are
based on food demand, are expected to be relatively steady.
• Demand for steel products in China, which accounts for about half of worldwide demand and production
will remain strong, but steel products imports to ASEAN5 and Europe/U.S. may show a significant
decline depending on the expansion of COVID-19 infection.
Energy Transport
Business
(Crude oil, petroleum
products, LNG, etc.)
• Crude oil tanker demand increased sharply for offshore oil storage due to the rapid decline in petroleum
demand and low crude oil prices, but the tanker charter market is expected to fall as offshore oil storage
decreases from the second half of fiscal 2020. The market movement from fiscal 2021 will require close
attention.
• Global oil & gas companies announced budget cuts in capital expenditures for fiscal 2020. Upstream invest-
ments uniformly show a trend toward a significant reduction, and it is becoming evident that various develop-
ment plans must be canceled or postponed.
Product Transport
Business
(Automobiles,
containers)
• Seaborne trade of automobiles will recover to 2019 levels from 2023 or later.
• Global container cargo trade will hit bottom in July–September 2020. Trade throughout 2020 will
decrease by around 25% from the previous year. Anticipate that trade will recover to close to the 2019
level around 2022.
The Rolling Plan Special Committee formulated Rolling
Plan 2020 based on its mega-trend forecast. In addition
to its members, the committee mobilized officers and
employees according to the agenda and held a total of
17 intensive deliberations. As a result, it was concluded
that the top priority of fiscal 2020 was a return to a
growth trajectory accompanied by a focus on defensive
measures. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that we should
continue to aim to “Become a Group of Business Units
with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective Areas” in the
medium to long term and keep working toward the
realization of our three core strategies.
Top Priority in Fiscal 2020: Return to a Growth Trajectory (Please see page 20 for details.)
Defensive
measures
Reduce market exposure
and re-examine investment
plans as part of crisis
response
Business
environment
analysis
Envision a post-COVID-19
world and elaborate on
medium-to long-term
forecasts
Offensive
strategies
Growth strategies /
structural reforms
based on each business
characteristics
Continuation of Efforts to Realize the Three Core Management Strategies and
“Become a Group of Business Units with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective Areas” (Please see page 21 for details.)
Management Vision
Three Core Strategies to Realize the Management Vision
Become a Group of
Business Units
with No. 1
Competitiveness
in Respective Areas
1
2
3
Portfolio
Strategies
Concentrated investment of management resources
in the business fields where MOL has strengths,
which will mainly be offshore businesses
Business
Strategies
Provision of “stress-free services,” which MOL will
offer from the customer’s perspective
Environmental
Strategies
Promotion of environmental strategies and
development of the emission-free business into
a core business
Enhancement of
Organizational Strength
(Organization Refresh)
Project promotion through
cross-organizational
collaboration
Groupwide improvement
in productivity
Basic Concept
• As a result of forecasts for mega-trends of the world economy and seaborne trade during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we concluded that a
significant decline in marine transport volume and a restrained stance on customers’ investments will be unavoidable in the foreseeable future. Based
on the idea that we need defensive measures first of all, we will immediately reduce our market exposure and review our investment plans.
• Concerning the three core strategies to realize the management vision, which we have been pursuing since fiscal 2019, with regard to 1 Portfolio
Strategies, we will implement “Concentrated investment of management resources in the business fields where MOL has strengths, which will mainly
be offshore businesses.”
• We decided that the importance of 2 “Provision of ‘stress-free services,’ which MOL will offer from the customer’s perspective” and 3 “Promotion of
environmental strategies and development of the emission-free business into a core business” are unchanged even post COVID-19. Therefore, we will
continue to step up our efforts.
• We will roll out “revamp the organization” as a new common theme among all divisions. This aims to further enhance organizational capabilities, utilize
human resources—unrestricted by the boundaries of existing organizations—and improve productivity through structural work-style reforms.
• We will achieve a quick return to a growth trajectory through the above initiatives, and continually aim to “Become a Group of Business Units with No. 1
Competitiveness in Respective Areas.” Meanwhile, we are keenly aware of the responsibility of marine transport as an infrastructure that supports
society even under the impact of COVID-19, so we will continually engage in vigilant efforts to ensure safe operation.
Profit Outlook
In fiscal 2019, ordinary profit was up 43% year on year
to ¥55.0 billion due to the accumulation of highly stable
profits and the achievement of profitability at ONE.
Meanwhile, the timing of the end of the COVID-19 pan-
demic is still uncertain, and we cannot expect rapid
recovery of the global economy, cargo movements, or
other elements of the business environment.
Therefore, we will take the necessary measures to
surpass our fiscal 2019 results in fiscal 2022 and
regain a growth trajectory.
Ordinary Profit: Results and Forecasts
(¥ billion)
Return to a
Growth Trajectory
Swift recovery to
fiscal 2019 level
55.0
38.5
31.4
65.0
40.0
Rapid
deterioration
of business
environment
due to
COVID-19
±0.0
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2027
(Fiscal year)
18
19
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Overview of Rolling Plan 2020
Principal Measures in Rolling Plan 2020
Top Priority in Fiscal 2020: Return to a Growth Trajectory
Continuing to Promote Our Three Core Strategies and Invigorating the Organization to Achieve Our Management Vision
Defensive measures
Reduce market exposure, re-examine investment plans as part of
crisis response
1. Thorough reduction of market exposure
Vessel Reduction: Plan to reduce the fleet (tankers, bulkers, car carriers, etc.) by a maximum of about 40 vessels,
including 13 vessels that have already been confirmed
Hedging: Solidify profits by T/C Out, freight forwarding agreements (FFAs), etc.
2. Re-examination of investment plan
Reduce cash flows for new investments (excluding investments for which decisions have already been made) from
¥200.0 billion to ¥100.0 billion for the fiscal 2020–fiscal 2022 period
3. Additional disposal of non-business assets such as listed shares and real estate
Offensive strategies
Growth strategies / structural reforms based on each
business characteristics
Each business will ensure its return to a growth trajectory through development of new businesses,
cost reduction, and reforms of business models, based on its individual characteristics.
Main Policies for Fiscal 2020
Progress Made Until Fiscal 2019
• Develop high-value-added vessels and
enhance proposal-based sales
Dry Bulk
Business
• Strengthen renewable energy-related
• Generally achieved the profit level target set in fiscal 2017, despite
businesses (transport of biomass power
generation fuel, etc.)
• Reinforce functions and cost competitive-
ness of overseas networks
fluctuating market factors
• Reforming part of the general bulker business remains an issue
Energy
Transport
Business
• Expand LNG business domains beyond
transportation, including FSRUs,
LNG-to-powerships, LNG bunkering, etc.
• Develop new energy-related businesses
such as wind power generation
• Strengthen strategies for liquefied
chemical total logistics
Product
Transport
Business
• Develop an organizational structure and car
carrier fleet composition that give us the
agility to respond appropriately to fluctua-
tions in seaborne trade of automobiles
• Address new logistics needs based on
demands of customers in the Dry Bulk
and Energy Transport businesses
• Profits from long-term contracts of LNG carriers have accumulated
mostly as planned
• The offshore businesses have expanded projects, mainly in FPSOs,
while profits from FSRUs were less than the expectations
• The Tanker Division successfully reduced their market exposure in the
product tanker fleet, while maintaining its business presence by form-
ing a pool with other companies. In the chemical tanker business
progress was made toward becoming a total logistics solutions provider
through strategic M&A, although the timing of its profit contribution
has been behind the plans.
• The car carrier business restored competitiveness by scaling down its
fleet in order to meet the cargo trade volume reduction and making a
European J/V company in the short sea trade a wholly owned subsidiary.
• In the containership business, ONE incurred a huge loss in fiscal 2018 as
a result of lost liftings caused by “teething problems” after the com-
mencement of service, but in fiscal 2019 the operation was stabilized,
performance improved significantly, and ONE achieved profitability.
• The logistics business suffered from stagnant earnings due to the
impact of U.S.–China trade friction.
1
Portfolio Strategies
Concentrated investment of management resources in the business fields where
MOL has strengths, which will mainly be offshore businesses
Firmly maintaining the direction of Rolling Plan 2019, while investment decisions to be made carefully and selectively
• Investments in the energy and offshore businesses will slow down temporarily as per our mega-trend forecasts, but they are still recognized
as growing fields on a long-term basis. Therefore, the direction of focusing on offshore businesses will be unchanged. However, assuming
fiscal 2020 as the term to conserve strength, we will curb new investment.
Highly specialized*
Strategic Fields for Resource Allocation—Fields Where MOL Has Strength
Environmental and
Emission-Free
Businesses
Chemical
Tankers
NVOCC
Business
Ferries & Coastal
RoRo Ships
LNG Carriers
Offshore
Businesses
Terminal
Terminal
Business
Business
Logistics
Logistics
Business
Business
Iron Ore & Coal
Carriers
LPG
LPG
Tankers
Tankers
Car Carriers
Crude Oil
Tankers
Bulk
Bulk
Carriers
Carriers
Product
Product
Tankers
Tankers
Real Estate
Business
Methanol
Methanol
Tankers
Tankers
Wood Chip
Wood Chip
Carriers
Carriers
Steaming
Coal
Carriers
Stable profits
Maritime
Affairs
Variable profits
Containerships
• The size of the circle indicates the total amount of assets used (as of September 30, 2018).
• Dotted lines show directions and scale at which MOL is aiming.
* In plotting the vertical axis (from highly to less specialized), each business was
considered comprehensively after taking into account the perspectives listed below.
Less specialized*
• MOL’s relative competitiveness • Versatility of vessel type
• Niche or mass market • Competitive environment
2
Business Strategies
Provision of “stress-free services,” which MOL will offer from the
customer’s perspective
Aim to improve customer satisfaction with the keywords “digital” and “environment”
• Enhancement of the utilization of digital marketing through initiatives such as continued implementation of measures to improve customer
satisfaction using information and communication (ICT) (aiming to strengthen the functions of “Lighthouse” to further develop the platform)
and introduction of web marketing
• Development of one-stop services to meet various customer needs with one contact (for liquefied chemical total logistics, offshore wind
power generation-related, etc.)
• Reinforcement of solution-based sales, meeting environmental needs
3
Environmental strategies
Promotion of environmental strategies and development of the
emission-free business into a core business
Implement strategies to achieve the goals set in MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0
• Develop measures based on the newly established MOL Group
Environmental Vision 2.0
For details, please refer to page 34 (Special Feature: MOL’s
Environmental and Emission-Free Businesses).
For details on our initiatives related to Environmental Strategies,
please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/index.html
Enhancement of Organizational Strength (Organization Refresh)
Project promotion through cross-organizational collaboration
Groupwide improvement in productivity
Gather expertise and resources scattered throughout Group companies to
increase agility and acquire new businesses
Increase productivity by 15% over the next three years by taking advantage
of our experience in efficiency improvement efforts during the work-from-
home period, and redeploy the saved human resources to growth areas
• Utilize project teams (unrestricted by boundaries of divisions
or Group companies)
• Review operational processes, use and apply ICT
• Draw upon knowledge and resources of MOL and Group
• Abandon “all-by-ourselves-ism” and promote partnership
companies (including transfer of duties)
strategies in a proactive manner
20
21
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Overview of Operations by Segment
Dry Bulk Business Unit
Toshiaki Tanaka
Director, Managing
Executive Officer
Director General of
Dry Bulk Business Unit
I would like to begin with a sincere apology for the inconve-
nience and concern caused to local residents, customers,
shareholders, and other stakeholders by the recent accident
in which WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker chartered by MOL, ran
aground off Mauritius and spilled oil. Working in close part-
nership with governments, relevant agencies, and the ship
owner, we will engage with full sincerity in restoring the envi-
ronment and supporting the local community.
Fiscal 2019 Review and Fiscal 2020 Strategies
In fiscal 2019, the Dry Bulk Business Unit faced challenging
conditions due to a sudden deterioration of the dry bulk
market in the fourth quarter coupled with a concentration of
renewals of long-term contracts that were concluded by the
Iron Ore and Coal Carrier Division when the market was
extremely firm. Although these adverse conditions resulted
in a decrease in the profits of the Dry Bulk Business Unit as a
whole, the unit was able to secure a certain level of profits.
While it recorded a year-on-year decline in profits for the
aforementioned reasons, the Iron Ore and Coal Carrier Division
achieved higher profits than expected at the beginning of the
fiscal year and had no operational issues. As for the Bulk
Carrier Division, structural reforms implemented in fiscal 2015
have been successful in significantly reducing market exposure.
As a result, even amid sluggish market conditions, the Bulk
Carrier Division achieved a commendable level of profits. In
recent years, the Wood Chip Carrier Division has been engaged
in a particularly large number of business negotiations on the
replacement of existing wood chip carriers that were operating
under long-term contracts. Through this process, MOL has
steadily increased its presence and acquired the leading
market share. In fiscal 2019, a series of new wood chip carriers
for these long-term contracts were completed, thereby
strengthening business foundations in this area.
Meanwhile, in fiscal 2020, conditions are expected to be
even more challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the
moment, we must give priority to the steady implementation
of defensive measures. We will minimize the effect of market
deterioration by reducing fleet size in line with demand. That
said, certain cargoes are likely to experience only small down-
turns even amid the pandemic. For example, firm cargo
movements of grains based on food demand are expected.
Current Business Portfolio and Strategies Going Forward
Fleet Table (Number of vessels)
Portfolio
Capesize
Standard
DWT
180,000
i
d
e
z
i
s
-
m
u
d
e
m
d
n
a
-
l
l
a
m
S
s
r
e
k
l
u
b
Panamax
80,000
Handymax
Small handy
Subtotal
55,000
33,000
Wood chip carriers
54,000
Short sea ships
12,000
At the
end of
Mar. 2020
At the
end of
Mar. 2019
Main cargoes
84
18
54
26
98
36
45
94
Iron ore, coking coal
21
50
32
103
39
47
Iron ore, coking coal,
steaming coal,
grains, etc.
Steaming coal, grains, salt,
cement, steel products, etc.
Steel products, cement,
grains, ores, etc.
Wood chips, soybean meal,
etc.
Steel products, plant
equipment, etc.
Highly specialized
Iron Ore &
Coal
Carriers
Wood
Chip
Carriers
Stable profits
Variable profits
Bulk Carriers
Total
263
283
Less specialized
Furthermore, as other dry bulk cargoes are raw materials
that form the basis of daily life, movements of such cargoes
are sure to increase over the long term in step with growth
in the world’s GDP and population. While near-term demand
trends remain difficult to predict, we will proceed with prepa-
rations for our return to a growth trajectory in the next recov-
ery period.
Progress toward Our Management Vision and the View Ahead
I feel that the uncertain global economic conditions are in fact
leading to a relative increase in customers’ expectations of
MOL’s reliability. More than any other factor, this reliability is
the core of the Group’s competitive strength. There is a very
large number of dry bulk service providers, and transport
quality varies across the industry. Issues that can occur
include inappropriately managed vessels being provided,
frequent delays, and insufficient responses when problems
arise. The fact that customers trust MOL not to have such
issues is both the basis of the brand value we have built up
over many years and our greatest strength. It is extremely
regrettable that the oil spill resulting from the running
aground of a MOL-chartered vessel off Mauritius greatly
inconvenienced local residents and other stakeholders. The
MOL Group is making a concerted effort to meet the needs of
the residents of Mauritius and repair the damage done to the
natural environment. Furthermore, we will use the accident
as a starting point for the reform of existing operational and
safety management methods and work hard to restore the
trust of customers.
From fiscal 2020 onward, we will focus efforts on the
environmental and digital fields with the aim of enhancing
service quality. In the industrial sector, which accounts for
many of our important customers, factories often have in-
house coal-fired power plants. With coal currently facing a
strong headwind in society, if we can provide solutions to help
reduce CO2 emissions, it could become a source of differentia-
tion from competitors. These ideas inspired the development
of LNG-fueled vessels and the launch of the Wind Challenger
Project, which utilizes wind power by equipping vessels with
an extendable hard sail. Depending on customers’ needs, the
Dry Bulk Business Unit could coordinate with the Energy
Transport Business Unit to provide plants with LNG as an
alternative fuel or utilize FSRU. As for digital technology
initiatives, the “Lighthouse” service (see page 51), which
we launched in January 2020, has been well received as a
platform that enables unified, online management of informa-
tion related to cargoes and vessel operations. Going forward,
we will upgrade the platform to make it even more user-
friendly. At the same time, we will search for new digital
solutions that we can develop and roll out.
In realizing further growth, the Company also needs to
strengthen its overseas sales activities. While China is transi-
tioning into a phase of stable growth, a relative increase in
cargo movements in India, Southeast Asia, and South America
is expected. In order to tap more of this demand than we have
in the past, we will increase the development of dry bulk
business specialists, examine optimal organization structures
from the perspective of improving efficiency, and advance
external business collaborations.
Our Commitment Going Forward
In the past, our dry bulk business generated significant profits
by benefiting from buoyant market conditions through proac-
tive and intensive fleet expansion that anticipated
a surge in China’s marine transport demand for natural
resources. Subsequently, however, we experienced a pro-
longed market slump and recognized extraordinary losses
arising from structural reforms. At present, having come
through a period of distress, the entire business unit has at
last reached the brink of new growth. The dry bulk business
operates on a large scale, with each of its projects involving
huge amounts of money, and offers each employee opportuni-
ties to engage in wide range of work. It is a truly fascinating
job where you can experience everything from procuring
a vessel to concluding a marine transport contract. It is also
a job that tests the personality and resourcefulness of each
person in charge. From a macroeconomic perspective, dry
bulk businesses handle more than 40% of the world’s cargo
movements and are a critical component of the infrastructure
that supports day-to-day life. Taking pride in the role we
perform, we will increase the scale and presence of our
business to ensure firm profitability.
Market Environment Analysis
Business Strategies
Opportunity
Risk
Cargo movement growth in the medium to long term in line with
an increasing world population
Increase in business opportunities in India, Southeast Asia,
South America, etc.
Tapping of demand stemming from customers’ need to
reduce environmental impact
Stagnation of the global economy and cargo movements due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and increased trade protectionism
Decrease in marine transport demand due to structural changes
in the domestic industry
Develop high-value-added vessels while enhancing
proposal-based sales through well-trained specialists
Strengthen renewable energy-related businesses
(LNG fueled vessels, Wind Challenger Project,
biomass fuel transport, etc.)
Improve customer services through digitalization
For details of risk scenarios related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to page 18.
22
23
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Overview of Operations by Segment
Energy Transport
Business Unit
Kenta Matsuzaka
Managing Executive Officer
Director General of Energy
Transport Business Unit
Fiscal 2019 Review and Fiscal 2020 Strategies
Fiscal 2019 was a year of many achievements for the Energy
Transport Business Unit. We made further progress in accu-
mulating highly stable profits in the LNG Carrier Division
thanks to the completion of eight new LNG carriers, including
one ice-breaking LNG carrier that is engaged in the Russia
Yamal LNG Project. The Tanker Division achieved higher profits
by capturing a steep rise in demand during the second half.
Furthermore, the business unit sowed seeds in fields beyond
marine transport. We participated in Asia’s first service opera-
tion vessel (SOV)*1 business, and with a Turkish partner we
launched an unprecedented LNG-to-Powership business.
As for fiscal 2020, profits are expected to edge down due to
the temporary allocation of one FSRU to a short-term contract
in the period between the end of a medium-term contract and
beginning of a long-term contract and a possible slump in
tanker market conditions from the second quarter onward.
Nonetheless, as a result of medium- to long-term contracts
accumulated so far, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to only
have a limited effect on the business unit’s performance.
*1 Specialized vessels that support maintenance operations for offshore
wind farms
Progress toward Our Management Vision and the View Ahead
FPSOs and FSRUs are representative examples of how the
Energy Transport Business Unit has in recent years been
expanding business fields upstream and downstream and
tackling highly challenging projects that differentiate the
business unit from competitors. I believe that the knowledge
and experience garnered by taking on such ambitious initia-
tives has greatly heightened the competitiveness of our
personnel. One turning point for our technical team was about
10 years ago when it first experienced building LNG carriers
in a Chinese shipyard, which were for Exxon Mobil
Corporation. Given the difficulty of process control at shipyard
in China, which did not share the common practices of
shipyards in Japan or South Korea at that time, sending our
technicians to conduct detailed supervision of construction
processes at a Chinese shipyard and successfully completing
an LNG carrier—which calls for one of the highest safety
standards of all vessel types—in conformity with an oil
Current Business Portfolio and Strategies Going Forward
Fleet Table (Number of vessels)
Portfolio
At the
end of
Mar. 2020
At the
end of
Mar. 2019
Highly specialized
Crude oil tankers
Product tankers
Chemical tankers
Tankers
(Methanol tankers)
(MOLCT*)
LPG tankers
Subtotal
LNG carriers
(including ethane carriers)
Offshore
businesses
FPSOs
FSUs / FSRUs
Subsea support vessels
Steaming coal carriers
Coastal ships (excl. Coastal RoRo ships)
Total
41
22
106
(24)
(82)
9
178
95
6
3
3
48
30
363
42
21
110
(27)
(83)
8
181
87
6
3
3
47
31
358
* Chemical tankers operated by MOL Chemical Tankers
Chemical
Tankers
LPG Tankers
Variable profits
Offshore
Businesses
LNG
Carriers
Crude Oil
Tankers
Methanol
Tankers
Stable profits
Steaming Coal
Carriers
Product Tankers
Less specialized
major’s strict requirements became the basis of our confi-
dence in projects thereafter. To date, we have built 13 LNG
carriers at shipyards in China. We constantly assign techni-
cians to take over superintendent positions, thereby building
high-quality vessels and continuously training personnel.
Similarly, in sales activities we gained an appreciation of the
difficulty of conducting businesses in fields other than con-
ventional marine transport when our first FSRU project, which
had been planned for use in Uruguay, ended up being can-
celed. This bitter experience gave us knowledge about risk
reduction methods that we have been employing in projects
ever since. Taking advantage of the lessons learned from the
aforementioned experiences, we will continue focusing efforts
on expanding business fields in energy value chains.
Forays from transport into peripheral business fields may
give rise to concern that we are dispersing our resources.
However, we have a strong awareness of the issues associ-
ated with remaining exclusively in the transport field. Simply
remaining in the conventional marine transport business
would make it difficult both to avoid the effects of market
volatility and to differentiate ourselves from the position of a
vendor responsible only for projects’ marine transport compo-
nent. We believe offering not only the transport services but
also non-transport services in a single package will heighten
the value we provide to our customers. LNG-to-Powerships
are a good example of this approach.
In the past, the electric power division of a general trading
company or a power utility proposed constructing a power
plant to a customer in need of electric power infrastructure,
and MOL’s role was just to transport the fuel required.
Recently, however, we have been able to expand our role by
forming tie-ups with external partners to offer customers
unprecedented solutions based on the utilization of LNG-to-
Powerships. This change in our role has a far greater signifi-
cance than just the winning of an order for a single project.
Naturally, this achievement was only made possible by MOL’s
strengths, namely, a track record in the LNG carrier field and
expertise in relation to FSRUs.
On the other hand, we must take longer-term viewpoints
and analyze how the world surrounding the energy sector may
change. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe
values will change, and people and goods are likely to move
less. As the transport sector is the main consumer of oil, less
movement may bring forward the peaking of demand for oil.
With fossil fuel accounting for the majority of the cargoes that
the Energy Transport Business Unit handles, we could be
dubbed the “Fossil Fuel Transport Business Unit” at present.
Over the medium to long term, demand for LNG is expected to
increase due to its comparatively low environmental impact.
However, LNG is undeniably a type of fossil fuel, and there is
no guarantee that demand for LNG will continue indefinitely.
We need to objectively analyze changes in long-term environ-
mental demand and respond to them flexibly because the
return on investments in vessels is realized during service
periods spanning 20 to 25 years. With this in mind, we have
placed projects related to offshore wind power farms under
the consolidated management of the Steaming Coal Carrier
Division and changed the division’s name to the Steaming
Coal & Renewable Energy Project Division. By shifting the
perspective from conventional “coal” to “electric power” and
by reconsidering what it can do for customers, the new divi-
sion will be better placed to provide services that meet soci-
ety’s needs. Similarly, we will proactively extend our reach in
offshore businesses from the conventional oil and LNG fields,
to renewable energy related fields through forays into such
areas as self-elevating platform (SEP) vessels*2 and SOVs. By
changing its profile, the business unit is in a sense embodying
the transition toward a low-carbon society.
*2 Special vessels that extend four legs to the seabed to enable the conducting of
installation work for wind power generation equipment in stable conditions
Our Commitment Going Forward
In the energy transport business, not only how we think about
transport itself but also how we view the future of energy is
very important. For this reason, we are always keeping an
eye on increases in the utilization of renewable energy and
medium- to long-term demand for respective types of fossil
fuel. Based on our analysis of such areas, for several years,
we have been sowing seeds in various businesses. In addition
to the SOVs and LNG-to-Powerships given as examples ear-
lier, we are tackling the e5 Electric Vessel Project, which is
developing zero-emission electric powered vessels, and the
Wind Challenger Project, which utilizes wind-assisted propul-
sion. Through the aforementioned projects, we will produce as
many concrete results as possible.
Market Environment Analysis
Business Strategies
Opportunity
Risk
Increase in demand for LNG as a clean energy over the medium to long term
Rise in demand for offshore wind power and other types of renewable energy
Higher demand for FSRUs and LNG-to-Powerships centered on emerging countries
Steady demand for the development of deep-water oil fields, centering on Brazil
Long-term decline in demand for fossil fuel with the emergence of a low-carbon society
Shortening of the periods of charter contracts accompanying
the commoditization of LNG
Decline in cargo movements due to economic sanctions on resource-producing
countries or resource-consuming countries, political risks such as trade
friction, or lower crude oil production by OPEC
Decrease in domestic demand for fossil fuel, which results from increased
energy efficiency and a declining birth rate and an aging population
Reorganization or consolidation of domestic customers
Expand into business fields beyond transport
in value chains, including FPSOs, FSRUs,
powerships, and bunkering vessels
Cater to environmental needs by developing
new-energy-related businesses, such as
businesses that provide peripheral services for
wind power generation
For details of risk scenarios related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to page 18.
24
25
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Overview of Operations by Segment
Product Transport
Business Unit
Yutaka Hinooka
Managing Executive Officer
Director General of Product
Transport Business Unit
Fiscal 2019 Review and Fiscal 2020 Strategies
In fiscal 2019, the Product Transport Business Unit’s biggest
achievement was enabling Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd.
(ONE) to move into the black and get on a stable trajectory
in its second fiscal year post-integration. Unfortunately, the
company’s first fiscal year was extremely challenging due to
“teething problems” associated with integration. However, the
company was finally able to get on the track envisioned
pre-integration by restoring its ability to realize yield manage-
ment* that is based on the provision of meticulous services
and a focus on the continuous improvement of efficiency—
capabilities that had always been latent in ONE as a contain-
ership company with roots in Japan. Furthermore, I have a
real sense that the Car Carrier and Ferry Business divisions
have moved closer to realizing lean business structures. As
the Car Carrier Division only deals with a limited number of
customers due to the particular nature of its business, the
division’s performance is unavoidably affected by the ship-
ment trends of automotive manufacturers. Nonetheless, we
have been developing capabilities for the flexible adjustment
of fleet size. With respect to the Ferry Business Division,
although attracting more passengers remains a task, the
division has succeeded in firmly capturing demand for freight,
which underpins the profitability of the business, by establishing
recognition among clients through a strong market presence.
Meanwhile, in fiscal 2020, the business environment is
still very tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the
cargoes that the Product Transport Business Unit handles,
the effect on such daily necessities as food, pharmaceuticals,
and clothing has been limited. For other cargoes, however,
global transport demand has decreased across the board. In
response, our first priority at present is to stanch the bleeding
as much as possible. However, demand is sure to return in
step with the recovery of the overall economy. With respect to
container cargoes, even if the sales channels of products shift
from brick-and-mortar stores to online stores, we believe that
the general structure whereby goods made in China are sold
in North America and Europe is unlikely to change.
Nevertheless, while objectively monitoring lifestyle changes
from a broad perspective, we will make necessary prepara-
tions so that we are ready to tap resurgent demand.
* Yield management is a method of maximizing profitability for the round-trip
voyage of each container. Freight rates are set and sales activities conducted to
maximize net proceeds, which are freight revenues net of direct costs. Direct
costs include loading and unloading costs, feeder costs, and the costs of forward-
ing empty containers.
Progress toward Our Management Vision and the View Ahead
To continue to be the top choice of our customers, we need to
locate and respond to the potential needs that customers feel
in daily business. In the parlance of MOL, this means consid-
ering how to provide “stress-free services” to customers. With
this in mind, we always need to keep an ear to the ground and
pay close attention to customer feedback.
For example, about two years ago, when the major typhoon
that caused a shutdown of Kansai International Airport hit
Japan, roads, railways, and other parts of the land transport
network were affected and the Ferry Business Division received
a huge number of freight transport requests. This made
customers aware of the “stress” that can result from relying too
much on land transport. Around the same time, there was the
preexisting problem of the logistics industry’s shortage of truck
drivers, which was also a source of stress. As a result of reliev-
ing customers’ stress by providing ferry transport services
during the crisis, we acquired new customers for these ser-
vices even after the crisis. This is one example of meeting
customers’ needs. Similarly, with lifestyles expected to change
in many different ways during and after the COVID-19 pan-
demic, we must accurately identify the coming changes, such
as where stress is arising for customers and what type of
demand is increasing.
From the viewpoint of identifying customers’ potential
needs, strengthening collaboration across the company will
be more important than ever. The Product Transport Business
Unit has to a certain extent established collaboration within
the unit among car carrier, containership, and ferry busi-
nesses. On the other hand, it is not yet comprehensively
catering to the logistics needs of customers who have busi-
ness relationships with the Dry Bulk or Energy Transport
business units. Therefore, further strengthening of collabora-
tion with them is required.
The reduction of environmental impact is a major compo-
nent in responding to customer needs. As an example of the
environmental solutions that MOL can realize, the Company
has decided to build Japan’s first two LNG-fueled ferries, and
we are currently proceeding with preparations aimed at com-
mencement of service from the end of 2022. Other initiatives
include our Good Design Award 2018 winning FLEXIE series
car carriers, which reduce environmental impact per unit of
cargo by improving loading efficiency. We are also steadily
implementing a range of measures that lower environmental
impact, such as reducing emissions by having vessels use
onshore rather than onboard power supplies while in port.
Another key for offering customers stress-free services is
digitalization. Due to progress in IT, land transport services have
evolved significantly over the past 10 years. It is an extremely
important issue for MOL’s marine transport services to establish
systems that can provide exactly the information customers
require in a timely manner. I envision us ensuring the reliability
and safety through tangible infrastructure, such as vessels and
facilities, while also satisfying customers’ additional needs
through the digitalization of intangible systems.
Our Commitment Going Forward
Currently, we are in a challenging business environment due
to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I would like to empha-
size that the Product Transport Business Unit—whose perfor-
mance correlates strongly with global economic growth—is a
growing business. I believe it is a business in which opportu-
nities are sure to come along and that will not only regain to
its former position but also begin growing again. The value
of goods differs greatly depending on the location. We must
remember to take pride in the fact that we fill the gap
between production regions and consumption regions and
help customers create value. We will always keep up to date
with a range of developments, including general and
customer-related information, while using our imagination to
think flexibly about what would be best for our customers
and then responding to their needs accordingly.
Current Business Portfolio and Strategies Going Forward
Fleet Table (Number of vessels)
Portfolio
Car carriers
Containerships*
Ferries & coastal RoRo ships
Total
At the
end of
Mar. 2020
At the
end of
Mar. 2019
107
64
15
186
113
65
16
194
* Operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE)
Highly specialized
Highly specialized
Terminal Business
Logistics Business
Ferries & Coastal RoRo Ships
Market Environment Analysis
Business Strategies
Opportunity
Risk
Cargo movements recovering and returning to
growth after the containment of COVID-19
Capturing of demand arising from changes in physical distribution
as customers restructure their supply chains
Strengthen the profitability of ONE further
Progress in IT and digital technologies that helps improve customer services
Establish a fleet and organization that can flexibly adjust
to changes in finished vehicle shipments
NVOCC Business
Variable profits
Containerships
Car
Carriers
Stable profits
Increase in demand for domestic marine transport accompanying modal shifts
Tap the logistics demand of the Dry Bulk and Energy
Transport business units’ customers
Less specialized
Stable profits
Prolongation of sluggish consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Decrease in demand for marine transport due to
a strengthening trend toward protectionism
Improve customer services through digitalization
For details of risk scenarios related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to page 18.
26
27
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Overview of Operations by Segment
Associated Businesses
Hirofumi Kuwata
Managing Executive Officer
Responsible for Tugboat
Business, New Businesses,
and Others
Fiscal 2019 Review and Fiscal 2020 Strategies
In fiscal 2019, the overall business results of Associated
Businesses were mostly unchanged year on year as solid
performances by the real estate and tugboat businesses
offset lower profits from the cruise ship business, which
reflected downtime during refurbishment and higher bunker
costs. With respect to qualitative developments, Daibiru
Corporation, the core company of the real estate business,
acquired three properties in Sapporo for the first time as part
of measures to extend investment scope. Furthermore, we
remodeled the cruise ship NIPPON MARU, which celebrated
the 30th anniversary of its commencement of service. In
addition, the tugboat business used the LNG-fueled tugboat
ISHIN to conduct LNG bunkering demonstration tests in the
ports of Kobe and Nagoya.
In fiscal 2020, meanwhile, we expect profits to decline due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. While the real estate business is likely
to post stable profits, other businesses are expected to record
less favorable business results. Specifically, the cruise ship
business, which has been forced to suspend cruises for a long
period, and the travel agency business, which primarily handles
overseas business travel, are projected to move into the red.
Also, the tugboat business is likely to see a decrease in the use
of its services as fewer vessels are coming into and out of ports.
Progress toward Our Management Vision and the View Ahead
For Associated Businesses, the trust, networks of customers and
partners, and comprehensive strengths that the MOL Group has
developed over many years in Japan and overseas are extremely
important because they provide robust foundations.
By leveraging the Group’s networks, the tugboat business
has developed operations overseas. Moreover, we are establish-
ing commercial operations for transport vessels used at offshore
wind power generation sites in various regions, an area where
we expect growth in the coming years. In Japan and overseas, we
believe there are numerous remaining fields where the tugboat
business can leverage the knowledge it has acquired in the
course of domestic operations that span more than half a cen-
tury. Similarly, Daibiru has utilized the MOL Group’s human
resources to make forays into Vietnam and Australia.
By consolidating and mobilizing the Group’s expertise, we
can increase the potential for the creation of differentiated ser-
vices. To give one example, the LNG-fueled tugboat that MOL has
developed in collaboration with the Group’s tugboat company
emits approximately 20% less CO2 than a conventional tugboat.
Consequently, this tugboat has the potential to become a new
source of differentiation that we can offer customers who aim
to reduce the environmental impact of their overall value chain.
Furthermore, in developing new businesses, we can also
take advantage of the Group’s strengths. For example, by
capitalizing on the knowledge we have garnered through
collaboration with our valued partner in the Philippines, we
plan to begin an overseas personnel consulting business
aimed at addressing the labor shortage issues of customers
and Japanese society.
Our Commitment Going Forward
As a part of the physical distribution infrastructure, marine trans-
port companies have tended to be focused on following estab-
lished practices and ensuring steady operations. Conventionally,
the priority has been to keep operations and cargoes moving
without any delays. In recent years, however, marine transport
companies have been required to change the nature of their
corporate constitutions in response to changes in the business
environment and societal systems. No exception to this trend,
MOL recently introduced a system for proposing new businesses
and established a pilot office where employees can freely choose
where to sit and work. Through these new practices, we are
starting to cultivate a corporate atmosphere that supports
employees who take on challenges and which encourages
employees to initiate new projects from scratch. For such
measures to function effectively and advance, the relationship
between the Head Office and Group companies must also change.
There are always resources, competence, and expertise that the
Head Office lacks but which Group companies have at their
disposal. We will promptly respond to needs during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic and contribute to the sustained development
of the MOL Group by breaking the barriers between the parent
company and subsidiaries, conducting personnel exchanges
proactively, and bringing together the strengths and competence
that each company has fostered in its respective field.
Business Fields
Business Strategies
Real Estate
Leasing buildings and other real estate primarily through Daibiru
Cruise Ship
Operating the cruise ship NIPPON MARU
Tugboats
Assisting large vessels’ arrival at and departure from base ports in Japan and overseas and operating
transport vessels to and from offshore wind power generation sites
Trading
Selling bunker, PBCF* and other equipment, and materials, etc.
Other
Conducting a travel agency business, which primarily arranges business travel, and developing new
businesses, etc.
* Propeller Boss Cap Fins, which are energy-saving devices. For details, please visit this website. https://www.pbcf.jp/
Leverage the Group’s
comprehensive strengths to
cater to environmental needs,
strengthen overseas businesses,
and develop new businesses
Market Position (Fleet Size)
Toshinobu Shinoda
Managing Executive Officer
Responsible for Real Estate
Business, Cruise Ship Business,
Trading Business, and Others
All Vessel Types
Dry Bulkers (including Steaming Coal Carriers)
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
(Number of vessels)
(Thousand DWT)
China COSCO
MOL
NYK
APM-Maersk
Oldendorff
MSC
CMA-CGM
"K" Line
816
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
29,277
Oldendorff
China COSCO
NYK
MOL
"K" Line
Swiss Marine
Source: Companies’ published data (Latest data published when checked in
Source: Companies’ published data (as of March 2020), Clarksons
May 2020)
Tankers
(Thousand DWT)
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
16,003
China
COSCO
China
Merchants
Euronav
MOL
NITC
NYK
Source: Companies’ published data (as of March 2020), Clarksons
LNG Carriers (including on order)
(Number of vessels)
100
93
80
60
40
20
0
MOL
NYK
Nakilat*
"K" Line
Teekay
Maran Gas
In operation
On order
* Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd.
Source: MOL internal estimation (as of March 2020)
Note: The numbers include the vessels which are owned by each company (wholly or
partially) and the vessels for which vessel operation is entrusted to each company.
Car Carriers
(Number of vessels)
Containerships
(Thousand TEU)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
104
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
1,568
NYK
MOL
GLOVIS
"K" Line
EUKOR
WWL
HOEGH
0
Mærsk
MSC
CMA-CGM
Group
COSCO
Group
Evergreen
Hapag -
Lloyd
ONE
HMM
Yang
Ming
Source: MOL internal estimation (as of March 2020)
Note: Excluding spot-chartered vessels
In operation
On order
Source: Alphaliner (as of April 2020)
28
29
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Risk Management
For details on our initiatives related to Risk Management, please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/ir/management/risk/index.html
As MOL conducts business on a global scale, the Company is exposed to a wide variety of risks. We work to adequately
ascertain risk categories and levels and employ various procedures to reduce and hedge these risks.
Major Risks Affecting MOL
Industry-
specific
risks
Operating Risks
(such as Marine Accidents, Oil
Pollution, and Piracy)
Exchange Rate, Interest
Rate, and Bunker Price
Fluctuation Risks
Cyber Security Risks
Shipping Market
Fluctuation Risks
Risks Associated with
the Transition to a
Low-Carbon Society
Natural Disaster Risks
Risks that
exist in other
industries
as well
Operating Risks (such as Marine Accidents, Oil Pollution, and Piracy)
As a full-line marine transport group, MOL operates
around 800 diverse vessels. The most fundamental
risks we face are marine accidents such as collision,
sinking, or fire that cause harm to vessels, cargoes,
crew members or that result in environmental pollu-
tion (oil pollution) owing to spills of cargo or bunker
fuel. In order to prevent these risks, the Safety
Operations Headquarters and individual business units
work closely together to implement a variety of coun-
termeasures—such as regularly supervising operating
vessels’ safety practices including onboard inspection,
and adoption of safety standard specifications which
effectively maintain the safety of our vessels—both
tangible and intangible. We also make a variety of
preparations to counter the dangers of piracy and
terrorism by providing sufficient training, putting in
place precise operational rules, providing support from
headquarters, and installing necessary facilities.
We take out various types of insurance (liability
insurance, hull insurance, war-risk insurance, and loss
of earning insurance) to provide sufficient funding for
any compensation that may be necessary to prevent
a major impact on business performance if we or a
related party suffer damages due to an accident that
occurs despite our best efforts.
For details, please refer to page 42 (Value-Added Transport Services).
Shipping Market Fluctuation Risks
Alongside marine accidents, other fundamental risks
in the marine transport business are those related
to the shipping market. To prevent excessive market
risks, we manage risks by (1) limiting the number
of vessels exposed to market risks by emphasizing
medium- to long-term contracts, (2) substantially
reducing the amount of risk by dispersing risk types,
and (3) reducing the amount of risk by counter trading.
To limit the total amount of risks, we take the initia-
tives to obtain medium- to long-term contracts with
customers that are highly creditworthy. In addition to
narrowing down the portion of the fleet that is exposed
to the market, we work to minimize risks by setting
vessel charter periods from ship owners to coincide
with periods of contracts with customers, thus neu-
tralizing our exposure to market fluctuation. When
investing in vessels not allocated under medium- to
long-term agreements, we carefully monitor future
vessel supply and demand. We then invest selectively,
only when the projected profit margins exceed our
standards.
To disperse risk, we use a portfolio strategy of
diverse types of vessels subject to different patterns of
market fluctuation. This approach helps us to balance
market risk across business units, compensating for
peaks and troughs.
Last of all, we reduce the amount of risks during
each fiscal year by using freight forwarding agreements
(FFAs) to hedge risk on vessel types such as Capesize
bulkers and VLCCs. We seek to stabilize profits by
reducing market exposure during each fiscal year.
We manage our total amount of shipping market
risks with a method we uniquely developed, called
“total risk control.” The method uses elements of the
VaR approach that is employed by financial institutions
for risk management. Our basic policy is to monitor
total risk amounts regularly and quantitatively, keeping
them within the scope of shareholders’ equity.
Exchange Rate, Interest Rate, and Bunker Price Fluctuation Risks
Exchange Rates For Japanese marine transport com-
panies, while most revenues are in U.S. dollars, some
costs and borrowings are denominated in Japanese
yen, presenting an exchange rate risk. MOL strives to
limit its exposure by dollarizing costs and borrowings.
To reduce this risk further, we also flexibly employ
foreign exchange hedging to limit profit sensitivity.
Interest Rates When securing long-term funding for
capital investment, in principle we hedge interest rate
risk by using fixed-rate loans and interest rate swaps.
Bunker Prices Most medium- to long-term contracts
with customers contain bunker adjustment factor or
bunker price surcharge clauses that have the customer
shoulder the risk of bunker price fluctuations. For
short-term contracts, we work out freight rates
reflecting bunker prices at the time, or employ a
formula to adjust freight rates in line with concurrent
bunker prices. For the remaining exposure, we work to
reduce the risk amount by using bunker forward
trading. With these countermeasures, we minimize
fluctuation in profit and loss resulting from bunker
price fluctuations.
Impact of Exchange
Rate Fluctuations
Impact of Bunker
Price Fluctuations
* Portion Exposed to Forex Fluctuation
Revenues
Expenses
Profit
*
U.S. dollar
revenues
U.S. dollar
expenses
*
Japanese yen
revenues
Japanese yen
expenses
Exposure
Hedged portion
n
o
i
t
p
m
u
s
n
o
c
l
a
t
o
T
Recoverable by
bunker price adjust-
ment factor, etc.
o
t
d
e
s
o
p
x
e
n
o
i
t
r
o
P
n
o
i
t
a
u
t
c
u
l
f
e
c
i
r
p
r
e
k
n
u
b
Risks Associated with the Transition to a Low-Carbon Society
As a full-line marine transport group, we consume large
quantities of bunker fuel, and in the meantime various
types of fossil resources are a major source of cargo.
Therefore, the ongoing decarbonization of society could
present significant fluctuation risks to our business
environment as public regulation could cause costs to
increase and transportation demand to structurally
decline. We are focusing on environmental and emission-
free businesses to turn these risks into profit-making
opportunities. We are also addressing risks by developing
alternative fuels, wind-powered vessels and formulating
strategies employing a TCFD framework.
For details, please refer to page 46 (Marine and Global Environmental Conservation).
Cyber Security Risks
We strive to curtail security issues and minimize
the effect of incidents that occur by (1) establishing
protocols for responding to major ICT incidents and
implementing cyber security-response organizations,
(2) establishing uniform regulations, rules, security
tools, Internet of Things environments and operations
consistent across Group companies and vessels
Natural Disaster Risks
worldwide, and (3) raising security awareness and ICT
literacy among executives and employees through
e-learning and targeted e-mail training.
For details, please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/sustainability/
overview/security/index.html
To keep vessels operating even in the event of major
earthquakes or other natural disasters and to fulfill
our social role of maintaining supply chains, we have
formulated a BCP manual and introduced satellite
offices and backup systems, and also provide ample
training. We have completed the distribution of note-
book PCs to all executives and employees and put
remote working environments in place.
Action on the COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in February 2020 we wasted no time setting up a headquarters led by the executive vice
president in charge of corporate divisions. We implemented a range of measures to simultaneously ensure (1) securing the safety
of our clients, business partners, and employees, and reducing the risk of spreading the infection and (2) fulfilling MOL’s mission
to serve as social infrastructure by providing stable shipping service even amid the pandemic. As a result, by the beginning of
March, we had transitioned to full-time teleworking—in fact, we pioneered the industry when it came to work from home—and
we have successfully maintained business operations without any major disruption.
In addition, we set up a Rolling Plan Special Committee to prepare for sudden changes in the business environment as a result of the
pandemic, and formulated updated strategies in short order upon ascertainment of the latest status reports and future projections
(see page 18).
30
31
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
A Message from the CFO
We will simultaneously take
crisis-response measures, implement
required investment, and improve our
medium-term financial position.
Takashi Maruyama
Representative Director, Senior
Managing Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer
The WAKASHIO Accident
In my capacity as the chief financial officer, I apologize
sincerely for the considerable concern and
inconvenience caused to our shareholders, investors,
and financial institutions by a recent accident in which
WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker chartered by MOL,
ran aground off Mauritius and spilled oil. We will
consider this accident as an opportunity to examine
carefully where we were deficient from the viewpoints
of environmental, social, and governance requirements
and then endeavor to become a more valued company.
Looking Back at the Rolling Plans: Fiscal 2017–Fiscal 2019
We introduced rolling management plans in fiscal 2017.
Over the three fiscal years since then, MOL’s structure
has changed significantly. Just before the three-year
period, in fiscal 2016 we implemented large-scale
structural reform focused on the dry bulk business.
Furthermore, fiscal 2018 saw the beginning of
operations at Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE),
a company formed through the integration of three
Japanese shipping companies’ containership
businesses. During the three fiscal years, ordinary profit
increased steadily, rising from ¥31.4 billion in fiscal 2017
to ¥38.5 billion in fiscal 2018 and ¥55.0 billion in fiscal
2019, and return on equity (ROE) improved to 6.3%.
Moreover, by the end of fiscal 2019 all business
segments were in the black. Although we are still on the
way toward realization of our projected medium-term
profit levels, namely, ordinary profit between ¥80.0
billion and ¥100.0 billion with ROE between 8% and 12%,
we made a certain amount of progress in concentrating
management resources on businesses where we can
realize advantages—which has been a strategy since the
introduction of the Rolling Plan 2017.
As for financial matters, although in the three-year
period we invested proactively in priority fields—such as
LNG carriers, offshore businesses, the ferry business,
and the chemical tanker business—we employed a
range of measures to ensure that the absolute amount
of interest-bearing debt did not increase. However, we
did not achieve a gearing ratio of 2.0 times or less,
which was a medium-term goal. Furthermore, it took
our best efforts to keep free cash flows in equilibrium,
excluding extraordinary factors related to the integration
of containership businesses. We will remain fully aware
of the aforementioned points as important issues.
Rolling Plan 2020 Financial Strategy
The worldwide spread of COVID-19 since its sudden
appearance at the beginning of 2020 is having a huge
impact on the marine transport industry. In response to
changes in the operating environment, we decided to
return to the drawing board with respect to the fiscal 2020
management plan, which was almost complete at the
end of March. After redrafting not only strategies and
measures but also the plan’s worldview and premises,
we announced Rolling Plan 2020 to coincide with the
Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in June.
In the process of redrafting the plan, we formed a
Companywide project team comprising experts from
various fields and rigorously analyzed the mega-trend
forecast based on the macroeconomy and main
cargo movements. Following deliberations by senior
executives in light of the team’s findings, it was decided
to give priority to defensive measures for profits in the
current fiscal year with the aim of returning to a growth
trajectory and surpassing fiscal 2019 results in fiscal
2022 (See graph 1).
Regarding the plan’s financial component, as we
cannot predict when the COVID-19 pandemic will be
contained, our first priority is to maintain smooth
funding. To this end, we will bring forward fund
procurement for planned capital investment, undertake
careful management of working capital so that as far as
possible commitment lines remain unused, and make
an all-out effort to secure funds through such means as
the disposal of shares held for strategic reasons and
other non-business assets and proactive liquidation
focused on vessels.
In addition to measures for the current emergency,
Rolling Plan 2020 includes plans for improving our
financial position over the medium term. Over the next
three fiscal years, we will reduce new-investment cash
flows from the initially planned ¥200.0 billion to ¥100.0
billion. We also set a new target for the achievement
of positive free cash flows, which calls for the
accumulation of ¥100.0 billion over the next three fiscal
years (See graph 2). Until now, we have by no means
made light of free cash flows. However, that we
conducted financial management with an emphasis
on growth and gave precedence to investments is
undeniable. With the investments accumulated so
far beginning to generate cash flows in line with our
expectations, we decided to improve our financial
position, which had been gradually deteriorating, by
including our first clear target for positive free cash
flows in Rolling Plan 2020.
Going forward, there will continue to be a host of
competing candidate projects in growth fields, mainly in
offshore businesses and environmental and emission-
free businesses. At the same time as tackling such
projects, however, we will take crisis-response
measures, implement required investment, and improve
our medium-term financial position.
Graph 1 Ordinary Profit: Results and Forecasts
(¥ billion)
Graph 2 Cash Flows: Results and Forecasts
(¥ billion)
(¥ billion)
Return to a
Growth Trajectory
Swift recovery to
fiscal 2019 level
55.0
38.5
31.4
65.0
40.0
Rapid
deterioration
of business
environment
due to
COVID-19
±0.0
–198.3
Secure ¥100.0 billion
free cash flows in
three years
–200.0
–150.0
–100.8
98.3
–100.0
–107.2
100.7
55.2
–50.0
0
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2027
(Fiscal year)
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Cash flows from investing activities (left)
Cash flows from operating activities (right)
200.0
150.0
100.0
50.0
0
(Fiscal year)
Shareholder Returns
We view increasing corporate value and returning profits
through dividends as important management policies.
With a consolidated dividend payout ratio of 20% as
a near-term guideline, we pay dividends that reflect
consolidated performance.
Since fiscal 2017, we have been able to raise annual
dividends steadily in step with increasing profit levels,
paying annual dividends of ¥20 per share in fiscal 2017,
¥45 in fiscal 2018, and ¥65 in fiscal 2019. Nonetheless,
we believe that increasing the consolidated dividend
payout ratio itself is also an important medium- to long-
term task. While our near-term priority is to restore
the equity ratio and other financial indicators that
deteriorated in the 2010s, we will also be working on
increasing the consolidated dividend payout ratio based
on long-term perspectives.
In closing, I would like to ask our shareholders, investors,
and financial institutions for their continued support.
32
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For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Special Feature
MOL’s Environmental and Emission-Free Businesses
“Promotion of environmental strategies and development of the emission-free business into a core business” is one
of the three core strategies of the MOL Group for the realization of its management vision. Why is a marine transport
company involved in environmental businesses? Which issues is MOL tackling and in what ways? By introducing
three specific projects, this section sheds some light on such questions.
An Overview of Our Environmental and Emission-Free Businesses
Marine transport, the MOL Group’s main business
domain, is being greatly affected by global trends toward
environmental preservation and decarbonization for two
main reasons. (1) Vessels themselves are one of the
major causes of environmental impact in the form of
carbon dioxide (CO2) and SOx emissions. (2) Our busi-
ness transports a wide range of fossil fuels and related
products, including crude oil, coal, LNG, and liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG). With respect to (1), we are
engaging in the development of technologies for the
reduction of environmental impact, such as alternative-
fuel vessels and electric vessels. As for (2), we are
making forays into clean energy-related fields, including
wind-assisted vessel propulsion, vessels for offshore
wind turbine installation, biomass fuel transport, and
LNG power generation. We refer to both types of
initiative collectively as environmental and emission-
free businesses.
Three Core Strategies to Realize the Management Vision
1
Concentrated investment of
management resources in the
business fields where MOL has
strengths, which will mainly be
offshore businesses
2
Provision of “stress-free
services,” which MOL will
offer from the customer’s
perspective
3
Promotion of environmental
strategies and development of
the emission-free business
into a core business
Examples of Environmental and Emission-Free Businesses
Lowering the environmental impact of existing businesses
Developing new renewable
energy-related businesses
Methanol-fueled vessels
LNG-fueled vessels
Utilization of methanation,
ammonia, and biomass fuel
Under development
LNG-to-Powership
Business
Project 2
Wind Challenger Under development
Project 1
LNG bunkering business
Electric vessels Under development
Project 3
Ancillary businesses for wind power
generation
New PBCF*
Biomass fuel transport
* Propeller Boss Cap Fins, which are energy-saving devices. For details, please visit this website. https://www.pbcf.jp/
Our Approach to Project Advancement
As the above chart shows, the activities of the MOL
Group’s environmental and emission-free businesses
encompass projects for lowering the environmental
impact of existing businesses and for developing
renewable energy-related businesses. Consequently,
in advancing these projects, crucial roles are played
not only by the New Business Creation Team, which
is in charge of new ventures, and the Technical and
Smart Shipping divisions, which are responsible for
technology development, but also by the sales divisions
of existing businesses. That is to say, projects that
incorporate environmental technologies into busi-
nesses in many different ways are being tackled
throughout the Company and creating added
environmental value both for new and existing busi-
nesses. Moreover, this approach is establishing a virtu-
ous cycle in which the added value created by an array
of projects is then shared Companywide to become the
basis for further advances. We take a flexible approach
to advancing individual projects after their launch.
Departments engaged in existing businesses lead
projects if they are strongly linked to the businesses.
If a project is in a new business field, the New
Businesses Creation Team or the Technical Division
take the lead. We also use cross-divisional project
teams that enable relevant departments to coordinate
their efforts.
MITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Summary
This ambitious project will lower environmental impact by
using wind-assisted propulsion for large cargo vessels—
which are mostly dependent on fossil fuel for propulsion
at present—thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Greenhouse
gas reduction
Approx. 8%
(For a single-sail vessel on a Japan–North
American West Coast trade route)
History and Roadmap Going Forward
2009
2013
2017
2019
2022
Began examining basic technologies through a joint indus-
try–academia research project with the University of Tokyo
Received a subsidy for next-generation marine environ-
ment-related technology research from the Ministry of
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Entered the commercialization phase led by MOL and
Oshima Shipbuilding
Obtained an approval in principle from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
for the design of a hard sail system
Plan to begin operations of a new coal carrier equipped with
a hard sail
Project Members
• Graduate School of Frontier Sciences,
the University of Tokyo
• Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Inc.
• Kanazawa Institute of Technology
Innovative Composite Center
• Tokyo Keiki Inc.
• Iknow Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Kansai Design Company, Ltd.
• GH Craft Ltd.
• ACT Co., Ltd.
• MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
Project 1
Wind Challenger
Project
Sailing Vessels—Reborn and
Full of Potential
Reaching the challenging targets of MOL Group
Environmental Vision 2.0 through the adoption of just
a single environment-friendly technology would be
difficult. A major attraction of Wind Challenger,
a wind-assisted vessel propulsion system, is that it is
compatible with and adds to the benefits of other
energy-saving measures and technology, such as
conversion from heavy oil to LNG, methanol, and other
alternative fuels and subsurface energy-saving systems.
Single sail is expected to reduce vessels’ greenhouse
gas emissions by approximately 5% on Japan–Australia
and 8% on Japan–North American West Coast trade
routes. In the future, we aim to equip vessels with
multiple sails and use them in combination with other
measures for greenhouse gas reduction, thus develop-
ing a viable solution for realizing environmental goals.
In October 2019, our Wind Challenger design of a
hard sail system acquired an approval in principle from
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, or ClassNK, while our new coal
carrier, equipped with this system, is scheduled to begin
operations in 2022.
Message from a Project Member
The Wind Challenger Project is an epoch-making initiative that will significantly reduce CO2 emissions
by employing the latest technologies to resurrect sailing vessels, which disappeared with the introduc-
tion of steamships. Rather than steel, the sail is made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic, a light and
strong material. Further, the Wind Challenger system efficiently converts wind energy into propulsive
force by using automated control to rotate and telescopically extend or contract the sail.
At the development stage, the greatest challenge was lightening the sail as much as possible while
maintaining its strength. Careful examination of the sail’s effect in light of meteorological data revealed
that almost no fuel-saving benefit was produced by the sail’s upper segment, designed for use in weak
winds. Therefore, we solved the weight and strength dilemma by reducing the sail’s segments from five
to four.
As well as equipping more MOL vessels with the sail following an inaugural wind-assisted vessel
completion aimed for 2022, we want to help preserve the environment by disseminating Wind
Challenger technology worldwide.
Hidetoshi Fukushima
Sub-team Leader
Technical Innovation Team
Technical Division
34
35
35
For Our Sustainable Growth
Special Feature
Project
2
KARMOL
LNG-to-Powership
Project
Summary
Under the KARMOL brand, MOL and Karpower International
B.V. (Karpowership)*1 are jointly making an unprecedented
attempt to develop an LNG-to-Powership business. This
fledgling business enables the establishment of power gen-
eration in a manner that, compared with the construction of
onshore power plants, is lower cost, has shorter lead times,
and results in less environmental impact.
CO2 reduction
of LNG
versus oil
Approx. 25%
*1 Karpower International B.V. is a subsidiary of Karadeniz Holdings A.S.,
an energy company based in Turkey. A pioneer in the field of powerships,
Karadeniz Holdings is the world’s only company that builds, owns, and
operates powerships. Under the Karpowership brand, Karadeniz Holdings
deploys a fleet of more than 20 vessels to operate powership businesses in
approximately 10 countries.
LNG-to-Powership—A New Option
in Electricity Infrastructure
Given the present need for rapid countermeasures to
environmental issues, demand for LNG-fired power
generation is growing worldwide as it produces lower
environmental impact than other fossil fuels. In addi-
tion, securing the power infrastructure needed for
industry is a pressing issue for emerging countries’
economic development. However, the construction of
new onshore facilities requires significant time and
expenditure. The KARMOL LNG-to-Powership business
offers a new option that solves a range of issues,
including cost, lead time, and environment friendli-
ness. The business provides integrated solutions that
cover the use of FSRUs to receive and regasify LNG
through to the supply of electricity by powerships. We
will use the Mozambique Project—which we are cur-
rently working on—as an initial step on the way toward
contributing to development and reducing environmen-
tal impact in regions worldwide.
History and Roadmap Going Forward
2017
2019
Information acquired by the Offshore Project Division and
initial contact made with Karadeniz Holdings through our
chief country representative in Turkey
Concluded an agreement under which MOL and
Karpowership are to jointly own FSRUs and powerships
and began working on an LNG-to-Powership project in
Mozambique under the newly established KARMOL brand
Overview of LNG-to-Powership Business
Ship-to-ship transfer
Pipeline
LNG Carrier
FSRU
Powership
Substation
Deliver LNG
to FSRU
Regasification of
LNG on FSRU
Generate electricity on
Powership
Provide
electricity to
households
Off-taker
Message from a Project Member
Many regions of the world still do not have sufficient electricity. Society also calls for curbing the CO2
emissions that result from power generation. Leveraging MOL’s experience in LNG transport and FSRU
operation, the LNG-to-Powership Project is ideally suited to help realize “Affordable and Clean Energy,”
the seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). While the project’s business format differs from the
cargo transportation role of traditional marine transport, I am proud that we are able to help improve
the quality of people’s lives and strengthen the foundations of industry by providing stable electricity
supplies as a regionally rooted infrastructure business.
Restrictions on international travel and reductions in flights resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
have made it difficult to visit customers in emerging countries and on remote islands. On the other
hand, the increased use of online meetings has enabled us to talk with customers more frequently as
well as have discussions with people in relatively inaccessible locations. Without a doubt, electricity
demand will continue rising as the populations of emerging countries grow over the medium to long
term and their economies develop. Precisely because we are in unpredictable times, the need for
powerships is growing as they are less costly and have shorter introduction lead times than
onshore facilities.
Kyoya Nitta
Executive Officer
General Manager of Offshore
Gas Project Division
Project
3
e5 Electric
Vessel Project
Zero-Emission Electric Tankers—
Toward a World First
In March 2020, it was decided to construct two of the
world’s first zero-emission electric tankers, or “e5
tankers,” which were planned and designed by e5 Lab.
Groundbreaking vessels that are powered by large-
capacity lithium-ion batteries, e5 tankers realize zero
emissions of CO2, SOx, NOx, soot, and smoke. As they
also produce little noise or vibration, the vessels help
improve crew members’ work environment and reduce
the impact on areas in and around ports. Upon delivery
between March 2022 and March 2023, the e5 tankers
will operate in Tokyo Bay as bunkering vessels.
Through the application of the latest technologies,
e5 Lab will help address issues that the marine trans-
port industry currently faces. Also, the company is
advancing initiatives to make the marine transport
industry sustainable in fields other than tankers. For
example, in December 2019 e5 Lab and MOL began
planning the development of a car carrier equipped
with a hydrogen fuel cell system and large-capacity
batteries that achieves zero emissions while underway
in coastal waters and in ports.
Message from a Project Member
Summary
Through e5 Lab Inc., we will advance the development and
spread of electric vessels, thereby enabling the establish-
ment of new marine transport infrastructure services cen-
tered on electric vessels.
e5 Lab participants
Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd.*2: 30%
Exeno Yamamizu Corporation: 30%
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.: 20%
Mitsubishi Corporation: 20%
*2 An equity-method affiliate in which MOL has a 29.03% equity interest
Targeting
Zero Vessel Emissions
History and Roadmap Going Forward
August 2019
Established e5 Lab
October 2019
Obtained approval from the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for a plan
to introduce advanced vessels with the aim of
researching, developing, and introducing battery
vessels
December 2019 Began joint study of a hydrogen hybrid car carrier
March 2020
Two of the world’s first zero-emission electric
tankers, “e5 tankers,” were decided to be built by
a member of e5 labo
March 2022–
Planned delivery of e5 tankers
Five Focus Areas for
e5 Lab’s Activities
Marine transport is essential for our country. By realizing electric vessels, e5 Lab will create new
businesses and societal infrastructure that contribute to the common good and provide many different
stakeholders with added value. In this way, the company will help realize sustainable marine transport
that can be passed to the next generation.
The possibilities of electric vessels are numerous. As well as zero emissions, they promise to lighten
crew members’ workloads and reduce accidents and risks. Moreover, electric vessels will create demand
for electricity-supply infrastructure for vessels, vessel batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. There is also
potential to use the vessels in emissions trading and as part of virtual power plant (VPP) systems.*3
Furthermore, as they are equipped with large-capacity storage batteries, electric vessels can be used as
emergency power sources during disasters. Looking ahead, as the integration of electric vessel technolo-
gies with communications technologies, the IoT, and other digital technologies gathers momentum,
electric vessels are expected to evolve and enable smart marine mobility that combines outstanding
environmental and economic performance. Through the activities of e5 Lab, MOL will create new
environment- and people-friendly businesses that open up a bright future for marine transport.
Tomoaki Ichida
General Manager of Energy
Business Strategy Division
President, e5 Lab Inc.
*3 VPP systems optimize the supply–demand balance of power grids by using the latest IT to coordinate a large number of small-scale power generation facilities.
36
37
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
A Message from the Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer
In April 2019, the MOL Group established the position of exec-
utive officer responsible for sustainability promotion, who
conducted the overall management and advancement of the
preparation and implementation of strategies that help
achieve the SDGs. At that time, the New & Clean Energy
Business Division, one of the sales divisions, was responsible
for initiatives addressing environmental issues on which the
Company places particular importance. This structure tended
to make our sustainability and environmental measures
business-oriented rather than based on broader and more
comprehensive approaches. To correct this, in April 2020 the
aforementioned position was replaced by chief environment
and sustainability officer (CESO), a new role and position that
enables the management and advancement of sustainability
and environmental issues from a higher viewpoint. Our aim in
creating this new position is to increase our efforts toward
realization of the SDGs through environmental strategies and
businesses in a way that is more coordinated with Rolling
Plans. In addition to the new position, we also established a
new team within the Corporate Planning Division that is solely
tasked with promoting sustainability and environmental initia-
tives. In this way, we have built capabilities that will more
closely align the advancement of business management
strategies and sustainability. As CESO, my mission is to over-
see the preparation of strategies and the implementation of
measures while making sure that all internal organizations
involved in sustainability efforts are on the same page. These
organizations include a project team that spans the Company
laterally, which was formed two years ago to embed the SDGs
into internal operations; the Environmental Management
Committee, which was instituted in fiscal 2019; and the
Technology Department, which is responsible for developing
the new technologies that play a critical role in reducing the
environmental impact of marine transport. With respect to
restoring the local natural environment that was damaged
when a Capesize bulker chartered by MOL, the WAKASHIO,
ran aground and spilled oil off Mauritius, I will hold discus-
sions with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
and support the MOL Group’s sustainable initiatives from a
long-term viewpoint.
As a company with clients in an extremely wide range of industries, rapidly sensing and
meeting society’s expectations is something that comes naturally to MOL.
At present, society is urging companies, central government
agencies, municipal authorities, and other key entities to take
extremely wide-ranging, large-scale steps in response to the
SDGs and such issues as climate change mitigation. These
social issues are long-term challenges for the human race
and may at first seem overwhelming. However, I believe that
society’s changing and growing expectations should not be
unduly feared as risks. Indeed, such expectations are in a
sense inevitable. If we look at the situation from the perspec-
tive of a marine transport company trying to cater to the
needs of society and customers, it is only natural for the
company to address these needs by advancing strategic initia-
tives that are long-term and sustainable.
As well as serving as CESO, I am the director general
of the Dry Bulk Business Unit. In this business unit, we are
experiencing firsthand the major changes that the world is
undergoing. Until now, we have achieved differentiation by
meeting the needs of customers and by anticipating and
offering solutions to their problems. For example, we have
taken steps to ensure operational safety—the foundation of
As CESO, I will step up
our contribution to the
SDGs through
environmental strategies
and businesses.
Toshiaki Tanaka
Director, Managing Executive Officer
Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer
our business—enlarge vessels and develop vessels capable of
transporting large volumes of cargoes even in shallow ports.
In other words, our efforts have mainly been within the scope
of traditional marine transport. Increasingly, however, our
customers are grappling with such questions as how best to
approach problems arising from the environment and sustain-
ability and what type of action should be taken. In response,
we must promptly devise ways of reflecting the changing
needs of customers. Given that we do business with a wide
range of industries, recognizing environmental and social
needs and incorporating them into business strategies is a
necessity. However, this adaptive approach is an inherent part
of our corporate culture. Therefore, in response to the many
different multifaceted issues that MOL faces in relation to
environmental and social needs, it will actively communicate
with customers and value chain partners, including shipyards
and other suppliers, to formulate measures aimed at
overcoming such significant issues. I believe that these
efforts represent nothing less than the first phase of our
sustainability initiatives.
Embedding Sustainability Issues (Materiality) into day-to-day operations
is the main task we face at present.
Looking back over the Group’s measures to date, the identifi-
cation of Sustainability Issues (Materiality) was a great stride
forward. In fiscal 2019, we identified the positive and negative
factors for society in our value chains and then determined
priority Sustainability Issues. In the past, our Rolling Plans
have tended to focus on economic and financial value. Thanks
to our recent identification of Sustainability Issues, however, I
think we have been able to show more clearly that we view
ESG issues as inseparable from business management and
essential for the continuation of MOL. I believe that we have
also been able to underscore our proactive attitude to tackling
ESG issues.
In addition, with respect to environmental issues, we are
making progress across a variety of other fronts. For example,
the Group has been stepping up the pace of initiatives aimed
at the “Promotion of environmental strategies and develop-
ment of the emission-free business into a core business,”
which is one of the three core strategies of our Rolling Plan.
Furthermore, we have been steadily implementing measures
pursuant to stricter regulations on SOx emissions introduced
in 2020. With the strong commitment and active participation
of our management team, we have also recently established
and announced MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0. As for
social and governance issues, while there is no such thing as
absolute perfection, we have been taking steps to strengthen
compliance and governance. In particular, we have been
focusing efforts on reforming the culture of our organization
since 2014, when certain of our car carrier shipping transac-
tions were found to be in violation of regulations.
Meanwhile, we are still only at the halfway stage in
making all of our employees fully aware of the Groupwide
goals associated with the Sustainability Issues (Materiality)
and incorporating these goals into day-to-day operations. In
tackling initiatives, the Group has specified indicators for the
measurement of progress toward some of its major goals.
The “4 Zeroes” established to promote operational safety are
an example of this approach. In many areas where we have
not set out KPIs, however, I believe that employees unknow-
ingly take steps toward the resolution of Sustainability Issues
when striving to meet customer needs properly. Therefore,
among employees we need to inculcate the concept of
Sustainability Issues so that they come to mind naturally
during day-to-day operations. To achieve this, we must
cultivate a mindset whereby each employee is able to grasp
changing needs of customers and society, see how these
needs are linked to our Sustainability Issues, and deeply
understand the linkage with day-to-day operations. In other
words, while utilizing the new KPIs that we will set out going
forward, I would like employees to clearly feel the degree of
achievement and their own contribution in relation to
Sustainability Issues as they carry out day-to-day duties.
As CESO, I want to heighten our corporate value by ensuring that internal organizations are
advancing in unison based on a shared medium- to long-term vision.
I believe my role as CESO is twofold. First, I must actually
advance sustainability initiatives in-house. Second, I have to
properly explain these initiatives to external stakeholders.
With respect to in-house advancement, in fiscal 2019 we were
able to establish benchmarks in the form of Sustainability
Issues (Materiality). To implement specific measures, how-
ever, we still need to convert Sustainability Issues into forms
that can be understood in the context of and incorporated into
each business and project. As I explained earlier, while focus-
ing on the embedding of Sustainability Issues into day-to-day
operations, I will ensure that internal organizations are
advancing in unison based on a shared medium- to long-term
vision, thereby heightening our corporate value. Moreover,
I aim to build the MOL Group’s reputation by explaining the
process and its outcome to external stakeholders.
For many years, I have been engaged in the Dry Bulk
Business Unit. However, I was also keen to test my abilities
in a corporate field, and I therefore relish the prospect of
tackling my new role. While I have direct involvement in front-
line operations as director general of the Dry Bulk Business
Unit, I combine this viewpoint with a business executive’s
Companywide perspective, which stems from my positions as
chairperson of the Investment and Finance Committee,
member of the Executive Committee, and director. The con-
trasting nature of my frontline and executive positions allows
me to absorb and offer opinions from a variety of standpoints.
Making full use of this advantage, I will ensure that we keep
the parts of our legacy that need to be kept while reforming
those that require updating. Through these efforts, I will
evolve the MOL Group’s sustainability toward a new level.
38
39
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Overview of MOL’s Sustainability Issues (Materiality)
The marine transport services provided by the MOL Group play an indispensable role as social infrastructure that supports
day-to-day life. In fiscal 2019, upon evaluating the impact of our business activities on society from both positive and negative
perspectives, we identified five social issues that need to be given priority as Sustainability Issues (Materiality). We believe
that tackling Sustainability Issues will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs as well as the medium- and long-term
growth of our business.
Process for Identifying Materiality
The Sustainability Promotion Project Team, which was formed in 2018, took the lead in discussions according to the
following procedure, and the results were approved by the Executive Committee in April 2019.
STEP
1
Identify candidate
Sustainability
Issues
STEP
2
Evaluate and
map each item
(Diagram on
the right)
STEP
3
Analyze risks and
opportunities for
each item
STEP
4
Finalize the
Sustainability
Issues
Large
/
s
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
k
a
t
s
o
t
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m
I
y
t
e
i
c
o
s
n
o
t
c
a
p
m
I
Small
Large
We identify social issues of great importance to both
society and the business of the MOL Group and specify
them as the Group’s five Sustainability Issues.
Value-Added Transport Services
Marine and Global Environmental Conservation
Innovation for Development in Marine Technology
Human Resource Cultivation and Community Development
Impact on the MOL Group’s businesses
Governance and Compliance to Support Businesses
Initiatives of the Sustainability Promotion Project Team
MOL implements a range of initiatives to raise awareness of Sustainability Issues for each and every employee in our
day-to-day operations. In fiscal 2019, the Companywide Sustainability Promotion Project Team focused on four of our
businesses, analyzed each one’s impact on society along value chains, and examined the additional value that can be
provided to our customers in terms of sustainability.
Sustainability Issues
(Materiality)
Themes / Targets / Goals
Risks
(Negative impact in the event
the goal on left is not achieved)
Opportunities
(Positive impact in the event
the goal on left is achieved)
Key initiatives
associated with
Sustainability Issues
SDGs to which we contribute via our initiatives
(numbers in parentheses are 169 corresponding targets)
Value-Added
Transport Services
P42
Safe and reliable transport
Large-volume, bulk transport services
High-quality transport services
Elimination of maritime accidents
Elimination of cargo accidents
Prevention of work-related injuries
Slowdown in economic activities and logistics
Loss of trust in the Company from society
Economic burden and damage to assets due to an accident
Risk of casualties as a result of an accident
Marine and Global
Environmental Conservation
P46
Prevention of marine pollution
Promotion of measures to mitigate climate change
Reduction of air pollution
Response to environmental regulations
Realization of transport means with low environmental impact
Climate
Change
Decline in energy transport volume
Delay in response to changing transport
demand and trade dynamics
Obstruction to safe operation caused
by extreme climate conditions
Response to
Regulations
Disruption to vessel operation
Loss of trust in the Company from society
Economic burdens such as fines and sanctions
Innovation for
Development in
Marine Technology
P50
Promotion of LNG fuel usage
Advancement in the Wind Challenger Project
Realization of autonomous sailing
Obsolescence of existing technologies
Inability to respond to future shortage of seafarers
Human Resource Cultivation
and
Community Development
P52
Employment of high-quality seafarers
Development of human resources
Pursuit of work-style reforms
Promotion of diversity
Contribution to regional development
Loss of outstanding human resources
Decline in productivity
Contribution to active economic activity and
creation of new transport demand
Contribution to establishment of energy
infrastructure in emerging countries
Long utilization of vessels through
appropriate ship maintenance, leading
to enhancement of competitiveness
Cultivation of operational insight
Incorporation of new transport demand
and establishment of new transport
model that quickly captures changes
in cargo movements
Development of new sailing routes
(Arctic Ocean)
Decrease in environmental impact and
reduction of transport costs by utilizing
new technologies
Involvement in environmental rule creation
Providing safe and stable
transport just as usual
even amid the COVID-19
pandemic
Implementation of
initiatives to achieve
the goals set forth in
MOL Group
Environmental Vision 2.0
Reduction of environmental impact by the
widespread use of LNG fuel and the
application of natural energy
Improved competitiveness of offshore
businesses and marine transport
Enhanced ability to respond to
environmental regulations
Utilization of digital
technologies to deliver:
The provision of
stress-free services
Strengthened marketing
and vessel management
and operation support
Improvement of human resource competi-
tiveness through recruitment of outstand-
ing talent and improved work productivity
Promotion of innovation and response to
business opportunities
Incorporation of various ideas by
attracting a diverse pool of talent from
all over the world
Economic development and a higher
standard of living in emerging countries
More effective operation of
the new personnel systems
Cultivating globalized
human resources
Management of MMMA,
a maritime academy in
the Philippines
Governance and Compliance
to Support Businesses
P63
Adherence to fair business transactions
Prevention of bribery and corruption
Establishment of information security structure
Prevention of harassment
Protection of human rights
Business continuity risks due to insufficient governance and
internal controls
Corrupted corporate culture
Highly transparent and fair management
Decision-making based on appropriate
risk management
Timely and appropriate
crisis response to COVID-19
Verification of the directors’
compensation system
40
41
Promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization
(9.2) and alleviating poverty (1.1, 1.2)
Supplying modern and sustainable energy to
developing countries (7.b)
Preventing marine pollution (14.1)
Environmentally sound management of
chemicals and waste (12.4)
Promoting partnerships with the public and
private sectors (17.17)
Improvement of energy efficiency (7.3),
promotion of clean energy use (7.a)
Mitigation of climate change (13.3)
Preventing marine pollution (14.1) and
protecting biodiversity (14.2)
Promotion of sustainable forest management
(through biomass fuel transport) (15.2)
Promoting partnerships with the public and
private sectors (17.17)
Improvement of energy efficiency (7.3),
promotion of clean energy use (7.a)
Improvement of sustainability through increased
resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of
clean technology (9.4)
Efficient use of natural resources (12.2)
Mitigation of climate change (13.3)
Prevention of marine pollution (14.1)
Promoting partnerships with the public and
private sectors (17.17)
Providing access to high-quality technical and
vocational education (4.3)
Ensuring women’s full participation and equal
opportunities for leadership (5.5)
Providing productive employment and rewarding,
decent work (8.5)
Promoting partnerships with the public and
private sectors (17.17)
Ensuring equal opportunity (10.3),
achieving inclusion regardless of attributes (10.2)
Reduction in bribery (16.5)
Promoting partnerships with the public and
private sectors (17.17)
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Value-Added Transport Services
In today’s globalized world, people’s lives are underpinned by goods shipped from
all over the world. In addition, the transport of goods from where supply is to where
demand is creates added value and generates economic activity. The MOL Group sup-
ports people’s lives and industries around the world through the transport of a variety
of goods, such as resources, energy, raw materials, and products. As one of the world’s
main logistics arteries, constantly providing safe and high-quality transport is our
greatest responsibility and the very reason for our existence.
The MOL Group—Transport on a Grand Scale
Container units transported annually
(by ONE in fiscal 2019)
Approx.12 million TEU*1
Global container cargo
movement*2 (2019)
Approx. 147 million TEU
Annual iron ore shipments (fiscal 2019)
Approx.72 million MT
Japan’s iron ore imports*4 (2019)
Approx. 120 million MT
China’s iron ore imports*5 (2019)
Approx.1.07 billion MT
More than
3,500
total annual voyages
Port calls in more than
100
countries
145 countries
facing the ocean
Annual LNG shipments (2019)
Approx. 70 million MT
Japan’s LNG imports*3 (2019)
Approx. 77 million MT
Number of vehicles transported annually
(fiscal 2019)
Approx. 3.8 million
Japan’s vehicle exports*6 (2019)
Approx. 4.5 million
*1 TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Units
*2 Source: Japan Maritime Center
*3 Source: IHS Markit
*4 Source: Trade Statistics of Japan (World Trade Atlas)
*5 Source: China Customs (World Trade Atlas)
*6 Source: Ministry of Finance
Overwhelming marine transport capacity
(for mainstay Asia–North American West Coast routes)
Percentage of marine transport in Japan’s
trade volume*7
Marine transport: In the case of
14,000 TEU containerships
Air transport: In the case
of Boeing 747-8F aircraft
99.6%
Percentage of marine transport in interna-
tional logistics*8
Shipping
capacity
Approx.139,000 MT Approx.130 MT
Approx. 90%
Shipping
time
Approx.10 days
Approx.9hours
*7 Source: SHIPPING NOW 2020–2021, Japan Maritime Public
Relations Center
*8 Source: International Chamber of Shipping
Strong Commitment to Safe Operation
When it comes to fulfilling our social mission as a main
artery of global logistics, safe operation is one of our
most important responsibilities, which we must keep
striving for without any compromise. In pursuit of effi-
ciency and economy, cargo ships have gradually grown
larger over time. At the same time, however, the mag-
nitude of the risk posed by a single accident has grown
correspondingly larger. Regrettably, the Group suffered
four serious marine accidents in 2006, which caused
a great deal of inconvenience for our stakeholders. We
take these accidents very seriously and have conducted
rigorous investigations to identify the causes of those
accidents and prevent their recurrence. We also
expanded a range of initiatives and measures, such
as fostering a culture of safety shared throughout the
Group, whether on land or at sea, further strengthen-
ing education and training, making organizational
structure reforms, and establishing the Safety
Operation Supporting Center (SOSC) that provides
continuous support to operating vessels 24 hours a
day. Regardless of how much effort we exert, however,
safe operation is a never-ending theme. Keeping in
mind the lessons learned from past accidents, each
and every officer and employee of the MOL Group
maintains keen awareness and works together to
become the world leader in safe operation.
Organizational Structure Supporting Safe Operation
The Operational Safety Committee, chaired by the
president, deliberates and determines basic policies
and measurements for ensuring and thoroughly
enforcing the safe operation of all Group vessels. In
addition, the chief safety officer (CSO) is delegated by
the president to supervise strategy planning and policy
implementation to instill and ensure high levels of
Organizational Structure Supporting Safe Operation
safety in the overall business of the MOL Group and
provide necessary advice to sales units’ director
generals and executive officers. The Safety Operations
Headquarters formulates specific measures related to
Companywide safe operations, which are implemented
by their respective departments.
Operational Safety Committee
Chairman: President
Vice-Chairman: Director General of
the Safety Operations Headquarters
Safety Operations Headquarters
Marine Safety Division
Smart Shipping Division
Marine Technical Management Division
LNG Marine Technical & Ship Management Strategy Division
Ship management companies (MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd.
and MOL LNG Transport Co., Ltd.)
KPIs for Ensuring Thoroughly Safe Operation
To visualize the processes for achieving safe operation,
MOL has adopted “4 Zeroes” (zero serious marine
incidents, zero oil pollution, zero fatal accidents, and
zero serious cargo damage) as one of its goals. We also
have the KPIs listed below and work to reduce num-
bers for each.
1
2
3
4
Continuous achievement of
the 4 Zeroes
LTIF*1
(Lost Time Injury Frequency):
0.7 or below*2
Average downtime*3:
24 hours or less
per ship per year
Downtime frequency rate*4:
1.00 or below
per ship per year
Please refer to page 14 for changes in KPI data.
*1 Number of work-related accidents per one million hours worked. In the scope of calculations, we originally included only workplace illnesses and injuries requiring disembarkation from
the ship. From fiscal 2015, we tightened the LTIF criteria, which now includes any workplace illness or injury that prevents a worker from resuming even a reduced workload on that day,
regardless of whether the illness or injury requires disembarkation.
*2 From fiscal 2020, we have changed the target value for LTIF to 0.5 or below, which is even more stringent.
*3 The amount of downtime due to mechanical malfunction or accident per ship per year
*4 The number of mechanical malfunctions or accidents that result in downtime per ship per year
WAKASHIO Grounding and Oil Spill
The WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker that MOL chartered from a subsidiary of Nagashiki Shipping Co., Ltd. (the ship owner), ran
aground off Mauritius and became unable to navigate under its own power on July 25, 2020. The vessel was en route from China
to its next destination in Brazil via the Indian Ocean. Immediately after the accident was reported, MOL provided support to the
ship owner in responding to the accident and containing the situation. Despite attempts to refloat the vessel and remove its fuel
oil, progress was hampered by severe winter sea conditions as well as COVID-19 countermeasures and geographic constraints.
Eventually, on August 6, local time, one of the ship’s fuel tanks ruptured, causing about 1,000 MT of oil to spill out.
Consequently, the accident ended up having an enormous impact on the local aquatic and shore environment. MOL will
continue to coordinate with authorities in Mauritius, the Japanese government, and related organizations and make efforts to
contain the situation by providing the personnel and materials necessary for cleaning up the oil spill. In conjunction with these
efforts, we will establish preventive measures.
42
43
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Value-Added Transport Services
Operation of the Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC)
Message from the Chief Safety Officer (CSO)
vessel operators. Staffed at all times by two marine
technical specialists including an experienced MOL
captain, the center gathers all sorts of information
relevant to vessels underway, including the itineraries
of the approximately 800 vessels operated by the MOL
Group, weather information, and domestic and interna-
tional news media, and is always ready to offer timely
information when-
ever necessary. It
also provides indi-
vidual advice for
vessels in high-risk
situations and
consults with their
captains. In the
aforementioned
ways, the SOSC
makes every effort
to prevent serious
accidents.
• Severe weather
• Tropical cyclones
• Sea ice and icebergs
• Frozen river ports
Various Risks Surrounding
Marine Vessels
• Political unrest
• Piracy
• Experimental mis-
• Infectious diseases
• Earthquakes and
Weather-
Related
Risks
Geopolitical
Risks
sile launches
Other Risks
tsunamis
Based on the lessons learned in the accident that
occurred in 2006, under the motto “Never let the cap-
tain get isolated,” we established the Safety Operation
Supporting Center (SOSC) within the Head Office in
2007. The center supports safe operations 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year.
Since MOL Group vessels criss-cross the world’s
oceans, they need to respond effectively not only to
adverse weather conditions such as stormy weather,
tropical depressions, and frozen sea routes but also to
numerous difficult situations, such as political instabil-
ity in the Middle East. In recent years, well-coordinated
operations between land and sea have become even
more important, with climate change leading to larger
tropical cyclones, and deteriorating political and eco-
nomic conditions in some regions bringing greater
threats of terrorism and piracy.
With procedures in place to “never let the captain
get isolated,” the SOSC ascertains these risks in real
time and keeps in touch with the vessels, vessel man-
agement companies, marine technical teams, and
Example of SOSC Functions:
Dealing with a tropical depression
The SOSC confirms the forma-
tion of a tropical depression
based on weather information
from an external vendor.
SOSC
SOSC transmits relevant
information to MOL vessels,
such as when a tropical
depression develops into
a tropical cyclone and its
projected trajectory.
The captains contact the
SOSC to consult about
evasion plans and navigation
courses.
The ship management companies, vessel
operator, and marine technical teams*, coordi-
nate to confirm the routes of vessels underway
and instruct vessels in port whether they need
to take evasive maneuvers.
Ship management
company
Marine technical team /
vessel operator
The SOSC contacts the ship management companies, marine
technical teams, and operators of vessels traveling in the vicinity
of the tropical depression or cyclone.
Procedures and Preparations to Deal with Marine Incidents
* A team composed of maritime employees that advises and supports the vessel operators. There are several teams in charge
by type of vessel.
The MOL Group has compiled its own response manual
to deal with emergencies involving serious marine
incidents and makes it available to all employees at
all times. Moreover, we regularly conduct emergency
response training with MOL-operated vessels during
sailing, simulating various situations, such as fires,
water immersion, piracy, and acts of terrorism. Once a
year, we conduct tabletop drills, which involve MOL’s
president, relevant corporate officers, and representa-
tives of relevant departments and ship management
companies, vessels, and Group companies. The Coast
Guard and the media also cooperate with these drills.
In November 2018, we conducted a tabletop drill
simulating the collision of an LNG carrier with another
vessel near the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and in October
2019 we conducted a drill simulating a fire on a con-
tainership in Ise Bay. Through these efforts, the Group
will strengthen
its entire emer-
gency readiness
framework.
Renewing our Dedication to Safety
In August 2020, regrettably, the WAKASHIO, a Capesize bulker
chartered by MOL, ran aground and spilled oil off Mauritius.
Although the ship was a charter from another owner, in my
view all MOL Group officers and employees need to take this
incident as seriously as if it had been one of our own and
completely re-establish our mindset on safety with a humble
attitude. Safety is not something achieved merely by the
efforts of a few people directly involved in vessel operations.
And a culture of safety is not something that can be created
overnight. Safety cannot be achieved unless each and every
officer and employee on land or at sea and in both the sales
and corporate divisions remains constantly vigilant. With
this in mind, we will rigorously tackle safety measures
with renewed commitment.
Masanori Kato
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Safety Officer
Initiatives to Foster a Safety-Focused Culture
Partnership between Our Sales Divisions and Our Maritime Employees
At MOL, maritime employees serve in onshore office positions at regular intervals.
Some of them are assigned to the Marine Technical Management Division or the
LNG Marine Technical & Ship Management Strategy Division, where they
communicate daily with our sales divisions and provide safety and other marine
technical support.
Onboard Training
Achieving safe operation requires enhanced safety awareness within the entire
Company, including land-based employees. By encouraging employees to train on
board our vessels for two to three weeks, MOL enables them to gain knowledge and
hands-on experience of vessels and frontline operations.
Safety Campaigns
MOL takes a variety of measures to provide opportunities for officers and employ-
ees on land and at sea to think about safety together. During our safety campaigns,
land-based officers and employees visit the ships and exchange opinions on acci-
dent prevention with crew members in charge of on-site safety. Since fiscal 2017,
we have been holding discussions under the main theme “Stop and Think More” to
encourage crew members to pause and consider the correct action when they
have any concerns or doubts while underway at sea. The information and sugges-
tions obtained during our safety campaigns are shared within MOL and between
vessels operated by the Company and utilized to further strengthen our operational
safety systems.
Safety Conferences
From February to May each year, we hold MOL Safety Conferences at five locations
in Japan, the Philippines, Croatia, India, and Russia—the countries that most of our
maritime employees come from. We exchange opinions with the crews that work on
board our vessels through presentations of our safety measures and reviews of
accidents that have previously occurred on our vessels.
Operational Safety Workshops
MOL’s Marine Safety Division regularly
holds Operational Safety Workshops for
land-based officers and employees as
forums aimed at encouraging recognition
of the fact that safe operation is not merely
something entrusted to onboard crews, but
something in which each and every one of
our employees is involved. In fiscal 2019,
we held these events five times for execu-
tives and employees of Group companies
in Japan and overseas, and a total of more
than 300 people attended. The workshops
focused on such topics as the role of safety
campaigns, our history of continuing to
encourage land-based employees to visit
our vessels, and case studies on how to
avoid tropical depressions.
MOL Safety Conference at Vladivostok in 2019
44
45
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Marine and Global Environmental Conservation
It is the societal mission of the MOL Group to take the lead in resolving common envi-
ronmental problems of humankind such as climate change, air pollution, and biodiver-
sity disruption as a participant in our world. Not only minimizing the environmental
impact of the MOL Group’s business activities, we also work on providing solutions to
environmental problems as an important business opportunity. Placing “Promotion of
environmental strategies and development of the emission-free business into a core
business” as one of the core strategies to achieve our management vision, we are
actively promoting initiatives in the environmental field.
Environmental Management Structure
The Environmental Management Committee, which is
a subordinate organization of the Executive Committee,
formulates medium- to long-term environmental
goals, and reviews the progress on our goals and how
we are pushing forward the environmental and zero
emission projects. Furthermore, in April 2020 we
established the role of the chief environment and sus-
tainability officer (CESO), who oversees the planning
and implementation of environmental strategies, as
well as a new specialized team within the Corporate
Planning Division to take charge of the hands-on work.
Initiatives to Achieve the Goals Set Forth in MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0
Goals
Initiatives
1
Adoption of Clean
Alternative Fuels
Promoting LNG fuel usage
Study and adoption of next-generation zero-emission fuels to
succeed LNG fuels
MOL is carrying out simultaneous studies on various clean alternative fuels. For example, LNG is a fossil fuel, but it can reduce CO2
emissions compared to conventional heavy oil, and we therefore consider it an effective alternative fuel that is ready for immediate
use. However, since we cannot achieve our goals with LNG fuel alone, we will also consider other next-generation fuels, specifically
synthetic methane from methanation, ammonia, and electric ships, among other possibilities. Regarding measures for the use of
synthetic methane as vessel fuel, we joined Japan’s Carbon Capture & Reuse (CCR) Study Group* in fiscal 2019 and launched a
multi-industry-spanning working group.
The Technology Innovation Unit conducts environmen-
tal initiatives from a technology and ICT perspective.
Executive Committee
CESO
Environmental
Management Committee
* The CCR Study Group is a body to solicit CCR technologies from multiple industries for feasibility studies. CCR technologies provide alternative energies by combining CO2
emitted from industry and hydrogen produced using renewable energy.
Corporate Planning Division
(Environment and Sustainability Team)
Technology Innovation Unit
2
Adoption of Energy-Saving
Technologies
Actual installation of Wind Challenger systems
Adoption of other new technologies
Please refer to page 38 for details on the chief environment sustainability officer.
Please refer to page 35 for further details on the Wind Challenger Project.
To Curtail Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: Enactment of MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0
With the ever-increasing momentum to prevent cli-
mate change since the Paris Agreement came into
force, in April 2018 the IMO (International Maritime
Organization) adopted “IMO strategy on reduction of
GHG emissions from ships,” which comprehensively
set out international shipping GHG reduction targets
and measures to achieve them. This strategy is the
first in the world to commit to achieving zero GHG
emissions during this century in a single internation-
ally spanning sector. In response, we also reviewed our
Environmental Vision 2030, formulated in April 2017,
and have newly enacted MOL Group Environmental
Vision 2.0, which makes clearer commitments, includ-
ing the attainment of IMO objectives.
MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0
The MOL Group is committed to achieve sustainable “Net Zero GHG Emissions”
through collective efforts with all capabilities.
Deploy commercial
Net Zero GHG Emissions
deep sea vessels by 2030
Reduce total annual GHG
emissions from the ships by 50%
in 2050 compared to 2008
Achieve Net Zero GHG
Emissions within this century,
pursuing earlier
Previous reduction targets set out in Environmental Vision 2030 (established in fiscal 2017)
The MOL Group targets reduction of GHG emissions per unit load by 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050
compared to fiscal year 2014” (efficiency improvement target).
3
Enhancement of Operational
Efficiency
Reduction of fuel consumption via real-time monitoring of
vessel operational status
To further promote the measures we have put in place so far to reduce fuel consumption in operating existing vessels, we have
established a new Fleet Performance Management Team within the Marine Technical Management Division, which will conduct
concentrated monitoring to ascertain the operational status of individual vessels in a timely manner and work to ensure sailings
in the most optimal speed.
4
Building Business Models to
Enable Net Zero GHG Emissions
Active involvement in regulation and rule-making through
industry associations and related government agencies
Discussions on international rules for global shipping are primarily conducted at the IMO. The direction taken in the introduction of
new rules, depending on its content, can heavily impact the business environment for shipping companies, but we see it as an
opportunity to build new business models, and we will actively participate in discussions through industry associations and related
government agencies.
5
Expanding Low-Carbon
Businesses Using Concentrated
MOL Group’s Strengths
Business development in the area of next-generation fuels
such as hydrogen, in addition to FSRU, LNG powerships,
and renewable energy
If we only concern ourselves exclusively with GHG emissions from ships, it will be difficult to reach our goal of Net Zero GHG Emissions
by early in the 21st century. By developing new businesses in the abovementioned fields, we intend to promote low carbonization for our
entire Group business portfolio. Since supply chains have yet to be developed for many next-generation fuels, we aim to participate in
a wide range of fields, from upstream (manufacturing) to downstream (transportation and supply), not just using them as vessel fuels.
Please refer to page 34 for information on our other endeavors in environmental and emission-free businesses.
Please refer to page 15 for information on our CO2 emissions volumes.
4646
47
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Marine and Global Environmental Conservation
Scenario Analysis
In fiscal 2018, to ascertain the impacts of climate
change on our business as well as our business conti-
nuity ability given those impacts, with the support of
the Ministry of the Environment, we conducted a trial
scenario analysis utilizing the framework of TCFD.
Furthermore, in fiscal 2019, following in-depth
exchange of opinions with our sales divisions, we
added our own perspectives to analysis of the long-
term outlook for key transportation demand and
revised the content of the previous year’s analysis in a
way that develops it further. In making these revisions,
we picked the following four climate change-related
items that we deem both important and likely to impact
our business and quantified them in terms of their
impact on our profits and losses according to the 2°C
and 3°C scenarios*1. We will continue to improve the
accuracy of our scenario analyses and use the results
to promote individual initiatives to achieve the goals set
forth in MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.0.
1
2
Levying and raising of
a carbon tax
Further spreads of next-genera-
tion ships using alternative fuels
3
Tighter regulations under the
Energy Efficiency Design Index
(EEDI)*2
4
Fluctuation in ocean freight
demand
*1 Ultra-long-term future scenarios of energy demand and climate change. The 2°C Scenario is a scenario in which the necessary measures are implemented to control temperature
increases to 2°C or less. The 3°C Scenario is a scenario in which economic initiatives and additional measures to address climate change are not sufficiently implemented. The
former is put out by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the latter is MOL’s own scenario based on the IEA’s scenario.
*2 The Energy Efficiency Design Index is a measure of a ship’s energy efficiency, theoretical CO2 emission figures calculated when the vessel was designed (g/ton-mile). Under the
regulation, rates of EEDI reduction from benchmark values according to individual vessel types are gradually tightened.
MOL’s Vision of the World under the 2°C Scenario
Cleaner society, shift toward renewable energy, and decrease in fossil fuel demand
Government
Carbon tax hike
CO2
Increased use of
EVs*3 and FCVs*4
FCV
EV
Shift toward more
low-carbon local
production &
consumption
Expansion of carbon tax /
Decrease in fossil
fuel demand
Fossil fuel
Steel
H2
H2
Hydrogen
H2
Decline in demand due
to the transition toward
lighter automobiles
Further utilization of
Northern Sea Route using
ice-breaking vessels
Development of next-
generation fuels
MOL
MOL
Increase in demand
for offshore wind
power generation
Clean energy
Biofuel
CO2
SOx
NOx
Acceleration of energy
efficiency regulations /
Initiatives on GHG
emission reduction
Tightening of SOx and
NOx regulations
IMO
Aim for Zero GHG
Emissions by
the end of the century
Air Pollution Prevention
SOx Regulations
Content of the Regulations
The SOx regulations limit the percentage of sulfur content in fuel in order
to curtail the amount of sulfur in gas emissions. In January 2020, the IMO
tightened the limit from 3.5% or less to 0.5% or less.
Our management plan for fiscal 2019 set “Strategic
actions for compliance with SOx regulations” as a focus
area, and under our SOx 2020 Regulation Response
Committee (which reports to the Executive Committee),
we have taken Companywide measures to ensure that
we are fully prepared for the tightening of regulations
in January 2020.
Of the three methods of compliance with the regu-
lations, (compliant fuel, SOx scrubbers, and the use
of LNG and other alternative fuels), we take compliant
fuel usage as our main measure, and use the other
two methods on a ship by ship basis.
Compliant Fuel
SOx Scrubbers
Compliant fuel complies with the new standards by limiting sulfur content to 0.5% or less. As a result of our early
efforts to test the quality of compliant fuel supplied by various oil companies and secure the necessary quantities, we
have completed the smooth transition of our fuel without causing any major engine trouble or downtime for our
operating vessels.
SOx scrubbers use water to filter sulfur out of exhaust smoke. By installing them we are able to continue to use
conventional fuel. We have been installing SOx scrubbers primarily in larger vessels such as Very Large Crude
Carriers (VLCCs) and Capesize bulkers, and as of May 2020 we had completed installation on 41 vessels, including
those at the request of our customers. On a Groupwide basis, we plan to have them installed on 100 vessels by 2022.
LNG and Other
Alternative Fuels
LNG fuel can reduce SOx emissions to zero, but since it requires installation of special LNG engines, it is mostly
adopted in new ships.
In addition, we are making efforts in the areas of electric ships and the Wind Challenger Project (see pages 34 to
37) as well as synthetic methane (see page 47).
Marine Environment Protection
Reduction of Ocean Plastic
Ocean plastic has a profound effect on marine ecosys-
tems. As part of our efforts to reduce ocean plastic,
we plan to install a dedicated collection system on new
ships scheduled to be delivered in fiscal 2020. When
the ship takes in seawater, the system’s filters collect
microplastics in the ocean that have been finely
crushed to 5mm or less under the force of waves and
ultraviolet rays, and we expect it to collect several
hundred grams per ship (a few hundred thousand
pieces of microplastic) annually. Land-based tests
conducted in autumn 2019 confirmed the system’s
ability to collect microplastics. We will consider
expanding the system to additional vessels following
the verification trial on the first one.
Ship Recycling
Microplastic collected in land-based tests
5mm
*3 Electric Vehicles *4 Fuel Cell Vehicles
Please refer to page 69 for MOL’s efforts in this regard.
Initiatives for Challenges other than Climate Change
Protection of Biodiversity
Ballast Water Management Convention
Ballast Water Mechanism
Content of the Convention
Discharging port
Loading port
The Ballast Water Management Convention highlights the negative impact of
the cross-border transfer of foreign marine organisms, which occurs when
vessels release ballast water, on marine ecosystems. Under the Convention,
all vessels are mandated to install ballast water treatment systems by 2024.
In anticipation of the enactment of the Ballast Water
Management Convention, adopted by the IMO, we
decided to make the installation of ballast water man-
agement systems a Companywide policy in fiscal 2014.
As of April 2020, we have completed installation of
these management systems on 167 vessels. Our policy
is to complete installation on all of our owned vessels
by the time limit set by the Convention.
Marine organisms
Impact on
marine
ecosystem
Ballast water is taken in to provide
weight as the draft rises due to the
unloading of cargo.
On the other hand, ballast water is
discharged when loading cargo as the
weight it provides is no longer needed.
For MOL’s environmental data, please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/data/index.html
48
49
Issuance of Green Bonds and Sustainability Bonds
As initiatives to apply the world’s increasing awareness
of the environment and the SDGs to our financing mea-
sures, in fiscal 2018 we issued ¥10 billion in Green
Bonds*5 and in fiscal 2019, we issued ¥20 billion in
Sustainability Bonds*6. We became the first company
in Japan to have issued both Green Bonds and
Sustainability Bonds not only to institutional investors
but also to individual investors.
*5 Funds raised with Green Bonds is to exclusively finance our green projects that
are effective at improving the environment.
*6 Sustainability Bonds extend the usage of funds from Green Bonds, raised to
projects that address issues related to resolving social issues.
Fund Allocation
(Billions of yen)
Project Name
Green Bonds
Sustainability Bonds
Ballast Water Treatment
Systems
SOx Scrubbers
LNG Bunkering Vessels
LNG Powered Vessels
New PBCF
Others (other than green projects)
Total
5.5
2.2
1.4
0.7
0.2
—
10.0
4.0
9.2
2.0
0.1
0.1
4.6
20.0
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Innovation for Development in Marine Technology
The MOL Group is promoting technological development using ICT to achieve the
following objectives: “Provision of ‘stress-free services,’ which it will offer from the
customer’s perspective” (one of the three core strategies set to realize the MOL Group’s
management vision), the further enhancement of tools to support safe operation, and
the deeper reductions in environmental impact.
Basic Policy on Technological Innovation
The potential for technological development in the marine
industry has expanded due to the rapid development of ICT,
such as IoT and big data, in addition to progress on vessels’
tangible elements. We aim to anticipate the needs of
customers and society by maximizing the potentials of
marine transport-related technological development.
These efforts are centered on the ISHIN NEXT—MOL
SMART SHIP PROJECT, which commenced in 2016.
In fiscal 2020, we established the new position of chief
digital officer to align our organizational structures and
propel innovation. This officer’s role is to formulate digital
marketing strategies and oversee implementation of
measures. We will accelerate our innovation by
continuing to step up alliances with various institutions
outside our field of business.
Proactively promote ICT utilization in addition to
technologies in conventional fields
Our Goals
Advanced technologies to support safer vessel operation
—With a view to realizing autonomous sailing
New
technologies in
various fields
Safety
and the
Environment
ICT, e.g., big data
utilization
Technologies that reduce negative environmental impact
—For global environmental protection
Actively develop technologies to meet the needs of customers and society while
inheriting the technological expertise MOL has cultivated thus far
1 Eliminate human error and achieve safer
operation by leveraging automated technologies
Autonomous Sailing
2 Develop eco-ships powered by natural energy
Wind Challenger Project
3 Develop vessels powered by lower CO2
emission alternative fuels
4 Expand the installation of operational
data collection equipment in vessels and
develop next-generation ship management
support systems
LNG-Fueled Vessels
Vessels Using Other
Alternative Fuels
FOCUS Project
5 Provide technological solutions for logistics service challenges
Topic1
Release of a New FOCUS Project Application: “Fleet Performance”
The FOCUS Project involves collecting data at one-minute inter-
vals from around 10,000 sensors placed on individual ships so
that we can visualize the condition of various elements of marine
transport (such as hull, engine, cargo, surrounding ships, and
ocean weather) and using such data for sophisticated monitoring
of vessel operation and analysis of vessels’ propulsion capability.
In so doing, the project aims to further enhance
safe operation, improve operational efficiency,
and help reduce environmental impact. The MOL
Group is pursuing this project together with three
other companies—Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co.,
Ltd.; Weathernews Inc.; and NAPA Ltd.—going
beyond the scope of its own industry. As of April
2020, we had installed data collection equipment
on 101 ships.
Voyage data
recorder (VDR)
On Board
As a result, aberrations can be detected early, and appropri-
ate cleaning occasions can be set.
Going forward, we aim to expand applications that use
accumulated operational data in various ways to provide
transport services with greater safety and reduced environ-
mental impact.
Data Logger, IAS
(engine and cargo
data recording
device)
Other sensors
Data collection
equipment
Fleet Transfer
Ship’s journal
ABLOG*1
Onboard photos
and video
Integrated
data platform
Sea weather
information
On Shore
May 2019 Release Part I
Fleet Viewer
Sharing operating vessels’
information at any location at
sea and on land to enhance
safe operation
February 2020 Release Part II
Fleet Performance
August 2020 Release Part III
Fleet Tour
Virtual Ship Visit Application
Personal
computers
Smartphones
Tablets
February 2020 marked the release of Part
II of this project: Fleet Performance. This
application makes it possible to ascertain
information about vessel performance that had
previously been problematic, such as true ship
performance (speed, fuel consumption, etc.)
after excluding the effects of waves and wind.
We expect such data to prove useful in compar-
ing same-type vessels and verifying the results
of energy-saving devices. The application also
allows the condition of the hull and various
equipment, as well as the extent of propeller
fouling, to be examined in real time.
*1 ABLOG: The summarized version of a ship’s journal, providing a register of ports of call, time of arrival at and
departure from ports, voyage duration, vessel location, speed, remaining fuel and lubricants, berthing periods,
engine operating data, and other voyage-related information. Submitted by each vessel for each voyage.
Topic 2
Progress in Autonomous Vessel Operation Projects
The MOL Group is promoting initiatives aimed at making
autonomous vessel operation a reality. Our goals are to
increase safety in operation and reduce workloads for crew
members. Rather than unmanned operation, currently we are
working on systems that will support crew members by
enabling autonomous vessel operation under certain condi-
tions. We are conducting joint development and demonstration
on three areas corresponding to navigational steps (recogni-
tion, decision, and operation) which are respectively named
FOCUS EYE, FOCUS BRAIN, and FOCUS GEAR.
Our Initiatives to Realize Autonomous Vessel Operation
Recognition
Decision
Operation
Augmented reality (AR)
navigation system*2
Complete
Collision avoidance
algorithm
Underway
Automatic avoidance
system
Underway
Vessel image
recognition and
recording system*3
Bird’s-eye-view
monitoring system*4
Underway
Underway
Automated berthing
and unberthing system
Underway
Future Targets
(2025 onward)
• Automatic detection
of other ships and
obstacles
• Automatic
adjustment of
route plans
• Automatic avoidance
• Automatic berthing
and unberthing
• Remote monitoring
*2 AR is used to show superimposed visual information on a display, such as information about other vessels obtained by radar and visual information from the bridge.
*3 AI (deep learning) technology is employed to recognize other vessels to a high degree of precision using a graphic recognition engine and ultrahigh-resolution cameras. The
data is recorded automatically, and accuracy can be enhanced further by verification.
*4 Multiple fish-eye cameras are installed on a vessel’s mast, and the images they record are automatically combined to create an image as if looking down on the ship, which
allows ascertainment of surrounding conditions at a glance.
FOCUS EYE
FOCUS BRAIN
FOCUS GEAR
We have developed an AR navigation
system and installed it on 19 of our
ships, mainly car carriers and VLCCs.
We have also installed a vessel image
recognition and recording system on the
cruise ship NIPPON MARU and a bird’s-
eye-view monitoring system on the
tugboat ASAKA MARU. Demonstration
test is underway on both vessels.
In December 2019, we launched a joint
study on collision avoidance algorithms
and autonomous avoidance with MOL
Marine Co., Ltd.; the National Maritime
Research Institute of National Institute of
Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology;
and Tokyo University of Marine Science
and Technology. The joint study used a
system to automatically calculate other
vessels’ obstruction zones along a ship’s
course heading. The aim is to establish
a collision avoidance algorithm that will
provide visualization of collision risks.
Between December 2018 and February
2019, we conducted demonstrations of
the automatic berthing and unberthing
system, using the SHIOJI MARU, the
training ship of the Tokyo University of
Marine Science and Technology, and
assessed the safety of the system
through simulations. In addition, in
February 2020 we began conducting
tests using a coastal ferry, thus stepping
up our efforts to make the system
practical.
Topic 3
Launching “Lighthouse,” a Service to Make Information on Marine Transport Visible
perspective, improving the service to provide more conve-
nience to our clients.
Making it Possible to Manage All Navigation-Related
Information on a Single Platform
In January 2020, the MOL Group launched “Lighthouse,” a
new information platform for dry bulker customers. In the
past, we provided information related to marine transport—
ship schedules, weather, and ocean conditions, as well as
cargoes and contracts data—separately. This was not always
convenient for our customers. We developed Lighthouse after
customer feedback uncovered their need to manage informa-
tion centrally. During the development process, we fielded
numerous customer opinions and requests to allow custom-
ization for individual users and for data to be obtained in real
time. With this platform, MOL aims to help its customers
enhance their supply chain management through more effi-
cient ship allocation and more effective management of
inventory, including that on ships.
At present, the service is limited to dry bulker customers,
but it is already being used by clients from a variety of
sectors, such as steel manufacturers and paper producers.
We plan to continuously update the system from the user
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For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Human Resource Cultivation and Community Development
Human resources drive growth of the Group and underpin its brand and reliability.
Based on MOL CHART, the values shared by all Group members worldwide, we will
sustain this growth and establish a new competitive superiority by achieving real
diversity management that fosters, promotes, and empowers personnel from many
different backgrounds.
Furthermore, by providing training through in-house educational institutes and
offering stable employment, we will secure highly competent crew members—who are
indispensable for our operations—and contribute to the economic and industrial
development of emerging countries.
Basic Policy on Human Resources Development
Challenges
As the structures of the Company’s businesses become increasingly complex and employees’ career aspirations and
work styles diversify, the human resources needed to implement the Company’s management and business strate-
gies are changing significantly in terms of both quality and quantity. To realize the profit level we are targeting over
the medium term, it is crucial that we reform our organization and human resources to heighten the competitiveness
of our organization.
Strategies
1
2
3
Foster employees who have personal initiative, a sense of responsibility, the competence to
play important roles in a global market, and the creativity to bring about change
Produce leaders who can set and pursue clear visions together with team members
Foster an organizational culture that encourages diverse personnel to generate creative ideas
and take on challenges
Introduction of a New Personnel System
Reflecting the changes in the fields and nature of our
businesses as well as changes in the values of work-
ers, we began operating a new personnel system in
July 2018. The new system diversifies the range of
career choices available to employees with the aim of
the early development of management candidates and
the fostering of specialists. Simultaneously, the system
pushes towards maximizing employees’ performance
by supporting self-directed career planning. In fiscal
2020, the third fiscal year since the introduction of the
personnel system, we will verify its effectiveness
with the aim of making it even more practical.
The Aims of the New Personnel System
(1) Early development and production of
management personnel
Foster the next generation of management personnel at an early
stage, identify potential leaders, and provide these talented person-
nel with opportunities to take the helm of organizations
(2) Diversification of career choices
Increase competitiveness by developing and securing both
generalists and specialists
(3) Support for self-directed career development
Create organizations and systems that encourage each employee to
become aware of their value and potential, make full use of their
talents and expertise, and forge ahead with creative work
Promotion of Global Personnel Management
Employees of many different nationalities play active
roles in our operations worldwide. With this in mind,
we are establishing employee-friendly working
environments that allow personnel to take maximum
advantage of their abilities irrespective of national or
regional backgrounds. We are also building a uniform
system for the evaluation and assignment of personnel
that transcends regional boundaries. In particular, our
appointment of crew members to onshore duties is
becoming more borderless. In an increasing number
of cases, we are assigning captains, chief engineers,
and other senior crew members of various nationali-
ties to onshore office duties, such as vessel manage-
ment and crew member training. With reference to
such cases, we will continue promoting global person-
nel management Companywide through initiatives that
include the One MOL Global Management College,
which is explained in more detail below.
One MOL Global Management College
Since 2014, we have been holding One MOL Global Management College annu-
ally with the aim of fostering “One MOL global executives” capable of conducting
diversity management in the coming generation’s cross-cultural working
environments. From all over the world, participants visit Japan to deepen their
understanding of self-education, organization management, and leadership in
globalized business situations. Furthermore, participants are split into teams,
which discuss and analyze issues and future directions for the MOL Group and
then offer recommendations to the Company’s senior management team.
Approximately 60 employees have completed the program, which has been held
six times to date. Some of those who have completed the program are currently
working at our Head Office to establish new businesses based on recommenda-
tions submitted during the program. Through such efforts, we are steadily wid-
ening the pool of global executive candidates.
Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion
We view diversity as encompassing not only such
superficial attributes as gender, nationality, and age
but also each individual’s inner characteristics, includ-
ing experience, natural aptitudes, skills, and values.
We will establish a new competitive superiority by cre-
ating working environments and an organizational
culture that motivate employees worldwide to work
enthusiastically and energetically and which encourage
employees with different personalities and skills to
work as a team. From fiscal 2020 onward, we will
advance talent management that is even more focused
on the quality of human resources. Specifically, we will
build a system that increases our ability to assign the
right people to the right jobs by identifying employees’
skills and experience as well as the requirements of
each division in greater detail.
Further Empowerment of Female Employees
We believe that further empowerment of female
employees is important for securing talented person-
nel and for reflecting diverse perspectives in the
advancement of business activities, governance, and
risk management. Accordingly, we are proactively
moving forward with a range of initiatives based on
an action plan prepared in March 2016 pursuant to
the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and
Advancement in the Workplace. For example, we have
enhanced and expanded systems with a focus on child-
rearing support, increased career development sup-
port, and conducted activities to create networks
among female employees.
Please refer to page 15 for information on our number and
percentage of women in managerial positions.
For details on our employment of athletes and other specific measures and information related to diversity, please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/hr/diversity/index.html
Introduction of a System for Proposing New Businesses
In fiscal 2019, we introduced a system for proposing
new businesses, which encourages employees to take
on challenging initiatives and develop their careers
in a self-directed manner. Under the new system,
depending on the details of the proposal, employees
present their ideas for new businesses or services to
executives and/or the relevant person in charge within
the Company. If a proposal is highly evaluated, the
employees can transfer to the most relevant
department and begin working on realizing the pro-
posal. Operating this system will cultivate a bold mind-
set among employees in accordance with the MOL
CHART values as well as help meet our need to find
new businesses that are not bound by the limits of
conventional marine transport. In fiscal 2019, eight
proposals were submitted. After review, four of these
have advanced to the phase of being developed for
commercialization.
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53
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Human Resource Cultivation and Community Development
Promotion of Work-Style Reform
We are tackling work-style reform to realize an organi-
zational culture that enables employees to work with
vitality, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of our
human resources and achieving innovation.
Our initiatives are based on the belief that in realizing
our management vision we must establish an organi-
zation and culture that not only encourage employees
to perform their duties in a highly efficient manner but
also motivate employees to give concrete form to inno-
vative ideas.
Chaired by the president, the Work-Style Reforms
Committee has led the advancement of specific mea-
sures focused on reforming four areas: the personnel
system, corporate culture, workplaces, and productiv-
ity. One particularly successful result of these reforms
is a pilot office in which employees freely choose where
to sit and work, which we introduced in fiscal 2019.
Verification has confirmed that the pilot office is pro-
ducing benefits across the board, including work-style
flexibility, cross-divisional communication, and produc-
tivity enhancement. Moreover, thanks to measures we
have been promoting to advance working from home
and to reform work processes, in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic more than 90% of our employees
transitioned to working from home at the height of
our telecommuting initiatives, and we have been able
to continue business activities without hindrance.
We will continue to enhance productivity and
establish an employee-friendly working environment
by forging ahead with work-style reform without
being constrained by existing operational practices.
Monthly Hours of Overtime Work per Employee
(Hours)
Companywide
average
38.8
Down 5%
36.99
34.36
Average for
divisions relocated
to pilot office
Down 11%
30.58
Monthly average from
July 2018 to October 2018
Monthly average from
July 2019 to October 2019
* “Hours of overtime work” refers to hours worked in excess of the Company’s
regular working hours (seven hours per day) multiplied by the number of working
days in a given month.
For details on our initiatives related to work-style reform, please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/hr/workstyle/index.html
Promotion of Health and Productivity Management
Ensuring the health and safety of employees and pro-
viding working environments where they can work with
peace of mind is a prerequisite for business activities
and the base for MOL’s sustained growth. Furthermore,
maintaining and promoting the physical and mental
health of all executives and employees is essential for
dynamic, innovative organizations and for realizing
vessel operations with the highest levels of safety in
the world. Our Diversity and Healthcare Management
Team leads the provision of a range of support and the
establishment of environments that enable employees
to maintain and improve their physical and mental
health and work with enthusiasm and vitality.
Reflecting high evaluations of these initiatives, for the
second consecutive year MOL has received certification
as one of the Outstanding Enterprises Engaging in
Efforts for Health and Productivity Management in the
large enterprise category (“White 500”) of the program
jointly conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry and Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
For details on our initiatives related to the promotion of health and productivity management,
please visit our website.
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/hr/health/index.html
Our Contribution to the Development of Local Communities Operating a Maritime Academy in the Philippines
Since 2018, we have been operating one of the largest independent maritime academies
in the Asia–Pacific region, MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy Inc. (MMMA), which is
located in the Philippines. For many years, we have been actively fostering marine
transport professionals in the Philippines under the Academia–Industry Linked
Program, which is promoted by the Philippine government. By extending and developing
these initiatives, MMMA will help the country’s students realize active, rewarding
futures. MOL will proactively hire MMMA graduates as crew members with the aim of
continuously training quality candidates for senior positions and thereby realizing vessel
operations with levels of safety that are among the highest in the world. As of 2020, the
third year since the academy’s establishment, a cumulative total of 573 students have
enrolled at MMMA to study the knowledge and skills of marine transport professionals.
MMMA graduates are expected to play important roles in the MOL Group as well as in
the global marine transport sector.
Cumulative Number of
MMMA Students
573
(As of June 2020)
MOL and Magsaysay Maritime
Corporation, which jointly operate MMMA
as partners, each plan to hire half of the
graduates as crew members.
A Message from the Executive Officer Responsible for Diversity Promotion and the Human Resources Division
Since April 2019, I have been the executive officer responsible for
Diversity Promotion and the Human Resources Division. With
respect to diversity promotion, my task is to secure diverse talent
and thereby further enhance our corporate value. As for the
Human Resources Division, I focus on helping realize manage-
ment strategy by working in partnership with each business
division to maximize employee motivation and to make optimal
use of employees’ talents. In each of these capacities, my mission
is to take concrete measures that will help sustain the growth of
the MOL Group.
In order to accomplish this mission, the focus will be on
optimizing our talent management and organization based on
analysis of the MOL Group from a higher perspective. In doing so,
not only will we focus on diversity with respect to such attributes
as gender, nationality, and age but also experience, personality,
skills, cultural background, and values. At the same time, I want
to act as an intermediary between the senior management team
and employees. My aim is to communicate the senior manage-
ment team’s views to employees while also providing the team
with employee feedback.
Emphasized the Establishment of Forward-Looking Frameworks in Fiscal 2019
At present, we are in the middle of crafting a new business model
that reaches beyond conventional marine transport. These efforts
are based on a management vision calling on us to “Become a
Group of Business Units with No. 1 Competitiveness in Respective
Areas.” A new personnel system was introduced in fiscal 2018 and
a system for proposing new businesses began in fiscal 2019.
These are some examples of frameworks set up to match MOL’s
new business model and to realize the aforementioned manage-
ment vision.
One reason for creating the new personnel system was to
diversify the range of careers we offer. This diversification is
essential because the types of personnel that the Group needs are
changing as it operates in a greater number of fields and regions
and its business formats become more complex. Diversification
of our career menu is also important because the attitudes of
employees to careers are evolving in step with changes in social
conditions and the job market. The new personnel system will
help employees to make the most out of their abilities while
respecting the priorities of each individual, thereby enabling them
to develop their careers in an effective, self-directed manner.
At the same time, the development of a workforce comprising
personnel with diverse careers will enable each business division
to acquire the human resources it needs.
Further, the system for proposing new businesses is expected
to contribute significantly to the construction of a new business
model. An emphasis on minimizing the risk associated with
employee behavior has become part of our culture due to the
nature of our mainstay marine transport business, where ensur-
ing safe operations is the first priority. When a company is creat-
ing new businesses and venturing into new business fields,
however, it should place greater emphasis on speed and appetite
for challenges and permit a certain amount of risk taking.
“Challenge” is the first of the MOL CHART values. With this in
mind, I want to reawaken and foster the DNA that has helped us
to take on ambitious challenges and succeed.
Using Fiscal 2019 Achievements as the Basis for Further Evolution of Initiatives
In fiscal 2019, we introduced a variety of systems. For all of
these, high-quality management will be the key to their success.
Accordingly, we will take steps to further refine the new systems by
amending each of them so that it functions even more effectively.
In conjunction with these steps, we will evolve talent management
so that it better reflects the attributes of each individual, including
their skills and values. In addition, plans call for the establishment
of KPIs for diversity and other aspects of operations.
The large number of our employees who display a truly
unstinting, committed attitude to their work gives me a sense
of pride as the executive officer responsible for the Human
Resources Division. In creating conditions more conducive to
employees realizing their ideas and potential, there is no silver
bullet. Rather, by implementing an array of measures under
a cohesive plan, I want to enable growth among our precious
employees and enhancement of the MOL Group’s corporate value.
Our human resources
strategy will support a
new MOL that reaches beyond
conventional marine transport.
Junko Moro
Executive Officer
Responsible for Diversity
Promotion and the Human
Resources Division
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For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
For Our Sustainable Growth
A Tripartite Discussion on Corporate Governance
Takeshi Hashimoto
Representative Director,
Executive Vice President
Executive Officer
Masaru Onishi
Outside Director
Akihiko Ono
Representative Director,
Executive Vice President
Executive Officer
A Tripartite Discussion
on Corporate Governance
The outlook for the global economy remains uncertain
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the significant
effect that the pandemic is also having on the marine
transport industry’s business environment, how is the
MOL Group tackling near-term challenges? How will the
Group advance governance to ensure sustained growth
both during and after the pandemic? To consider such
questions, Outside Director Masaru Onishi,
Representative Director and Executive Vice President
Executive Officer Takeshi Hashimoto, and Representative
Director and Executive Vice President Executive Officer
Akihiko Ono held a tripartite discussion in May 2020.
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and
Business Environment Changes
Ono As well as having a major impact on the global
economy and our business activities, the worldwide
COVID-19 pandemic is a matter of life and death. Even
in such a situation, the MOL Group’s mission is to con-
tinue providing stable transport services as these are
essential to the world’s logistics. To enable us to con-
tinue business operations while preventing employees
working on land and at sea from becoming infected,
in February 2020 we launched the COVID-19
Countermeasures Taskforce. As someone who over-
sees corporate divisions, I lead the taskforce. We have
been deliberating and implementing countermeasures
through the taskforce.
Onishi I have seen up close how the MOL team—from
senior management to employees in frontline opera-
tions—has promptly discussed and implemented coun-
termeasures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
and how the team is currently continuing to make vari-
ous improvements in the measures. That said, in this
type of emergency, situations always arise that were
not previously envisioned. Recounting the 2011 Great
East Japan Earthquake, the former top official of the
Tohoku Regional Bureau of the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who was
involved in the frontline response to the disaster,
commented that, “Only the things prepared in advance
were useful. By themselves, however, the things pre-
pared in advance were insufficient.” In other words,
there is no such thing as being perfectly prepared. For
this reason, MOL must draw on its recent experiences
to enhance preparations for the future even further.
Aside from measures dealing with immediate issues,
MOL also advanced discussions on revising the man-
agement plan.
Ono Yes, that’s right. During fiscal 2019, we held
extensive discussions on the fiscal 2020 management
plan. By March 2020, we were close to fixing priority
targets and strategies. However, recognizing that the
subsequent spread of COVID-19 was likely to com-
pletely transform society and the business environ-
ment, we concluded that the management plan needed
to be fundamentally reformulated. We resolved to
create a revised roadmap showing how MOL should
proceed both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hashimoto In April 2020, we established the Rolling Plan
Special Committee as a venue for revamping and
making decisions on the management plan. As my
responsibility is to preside over business divisions,
I chaired the new committee. Our business environ-
ment had changed dramatically not only due to the
pandemic but also because of a significant drop in the
price of crude oil in March. However, the degrees to
which and the ways in which these changes affected
respective business segments were different. At the
outset, the committee conducted an all-out effort focused
on ascertaining the situation. In addition to conducting
detailed analysis of individual business segments, com-
mittee members devoted a great deal of time to analyzing
medium- to long-term mega-trends, which is essential
for the establishment of business strategies.
for operational risks but also made a quick decision to
revise management strategy. Moreover, these matters
were discussed separately due to their totally different
time frames.
Risk Management Befitting a New MOL
Hashimoto In recent years, the MOL Group has advanced
business strategies aimed at converting its business
portfolio by concentrating the investment of manage-
ment resources on fields that both enable the Group to
use its strengths to achieve differentiation and to gen-
erate stable profit. In the process of developing and
implementing these strategies, I feel that common
in-house criteria for risks that should be taken, and
risks that should be avoided have become entrenched.
Risks always accompany business investments.
However, a culture of thoroughly discussing the minute
details of these risks—such as their root causes, their
probability of actualization, and our ability to cope with
worst-case scenarios—has become firmly established
throughout the Group. Inevitably, market conditions
affect the performance of marine transport companies
to some extent. Nonetheless, if we can base decisions
on reasonable overviews of the correlation between
our coping abilities and the risks that should be taken,
we will be able to succeed more often than we fail.
Onishi Although we have experienced the global reces-
sion triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in
2008, the effect on the real economy of the current
crisis spread much more rapidly than then. I believe
that in response to this huge, simultaneous impact
that occurred worldwide, MOL took correct steps. The
Company did not just implement immediate measures
Ono In the past, we gave weight to investment
recovery ratio and return on investment (ROI) when
evaluating investment propositions. However, as we are
currently engaged in business fields beyond the
traditional marine transport industry, we have added
internal rate of return (IRR) and return on risk (ROR) as
important indicators for investment evaluation and
At MOL, senior management shares
a clear understanding of the
Company’s cause, in other words, for
what MOL exists. This, in my view, is
their most commendable attribute.
Masaru Onishi
Mr. Onishi was appointed as an outside director of MOL in June 2019.
In 1978, he joined Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., where ultimately he was
given overall responsibility for maintenance and safety. He has deep
insight based on his experience as a corporate manager at the highest
levels, which includes serving at Japan Airlines as representative
director and president between 2011 and 2012, as representative
director and chairman between 2012 and 2014, and as director and
chairman between 2014 and 2018.
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MITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020A Tripartite Discussion on Corporate Governance
First and foremost, we must take
defensive measures based on a
correct understanding of the situation.
However, advancing aggressive
measures in anticipation of conditions
both during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic is also vital.
Takeshi Hashimoto
Mr. Hashimoto became a MOL representative director and
executive vice president executive officer in April 2019. After
joining MOL in 1982, he spent a large part of his career
engaged in the LNG carriers and offshore businesses.
Currently, as an executive vice president executive officer he is
responsible for overall management, presiding primarily over
the business divisions.
The Constant Evolution of Governance
Onishi As a member of the advisory committees for
nomination and remuneration, I believe that the great-
est advance related to governance in fiscal 2019 was
the establishment of a succession plan for the presi-
dent. We held discussions that focused on three points:
the credentials that a president of MOL should have,
the establishment of a selection process, and ways of
fostering candidates. I take pride in the fact that we
have created one of the most progressive systems of
its kind among Japanese companies. In addition, from
fiscal 2019 we revamped systems so that outside Audit
& Supervisory Board members were able to be non-
voting participants in the advisory committees. This
contributed greatly to the liveliness of discussions.
Hashimoto I also feel that discussions at meetings of the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and
respective committees have become livelier. Aiming
to arrive at better conclusions, participants exchange
opinions that are franker and more heated than before.
Ono The Board of Directors really has evolved to
become more and more dynamic. The points that
outside directors and outside Audit & Supervisory
Board members make are quite critical on occasion,
giving all of our discussions a healthy tension.
Onishi In fiscal 2019, we concentrated on preparing
the succession plan, and now I want to begin reforming
the directors’ compensation system in fiscal 2020.
Previously, MOL was a progressive company with
respect to the development of governance systems. For
example, it was one of the first to introduce a stock
option system. However, given the further acceleration
of discussions throughout society about optimal com-
pensation systems as well as the changes in MOL’s
business fields in recent years, I think there is scope
for changes that make the compensation more appro-
priate. Particularly important points for discussion are
how to effectively incorporate long-term incentives into
the compensation system and the proportion of fixed
compensation and short-term and long-term incentives.
While we have only just begun discussing the matter,
over the next year or two I would like to establish
systems that provide foundations suitable for the
enhancement of MOL’s corporate value over the
medium to long term.
conduct multifaceted management of investments
accordingly. Looking back over the history of the indus-
try, almost all marine transport companies’ manage-
ment failures have resulted from excessive investment
during favorable market conditions. To avoid repeating
such mistakes, we have constructed a system that
stipulates the total amount of risk that the entire Group
can tolerate and then controls the amount of risk that
it actually takes. Further, in the past two or three years
we have developed an improved system for decisions
on individual investments that enables evaluation of
risk and return in a way that is consistent with macro-
level management of total risk. Through these systems,
I believe that we are finally arriving at a desirable
form of risk control that simultaneously enables safety
and boldness.
Onishi At the time of my appointment as an outside
director, I honestly felt that MOL was avoiding business
risk too much. This was because when senior manage-
ment was analyzing the risk and return of a new
investment proposition, discussions tended to veer
toward envisioning worst-case scenarios. Over the year
since I was appointed, however, I feel that I have at last
come to understand MOL’s approach to risk. I now see
that senior management’s goal is to achieve a robust
corporate structure first of all and to give priority to
disciplined business management suited to MOL’s
current growth phase.
Hashimoto Having the ability to take both defensive and
aggressive measures appropriately is, as you said, the
ideal state of any truly robust entity. We have rebuilt
our risk control system and taken measures to reduce
our exposure to market conditions precisely because of
the success in the 2000s and subsequent failure that
we experienced. That said, it is important to make sure
the experience of failure is not holding us back unduly.
Onishi As Mr. Ono pointed out, the Company has made a
good deal of progress in visualizing indicators, and
backing up proposals with figures is indispensable. On
the other hand, if it was possible to evaluate all corpo-
rate activities by quantifying them, business executives
would not be needed. In my opinion, the greatest asset
of MOL’s management decision-making process is that
senior management shares a clear understanding of
the Company’s cause, in other words, for what MOL
exists. When determining the direction in which a
company should proceed, it is important for the senior
management teams to think deeply about how each
direction relates to the company’s unique existential
value and social mission. Thanks to the corporate cul-
ture MOL has fostered, when senior management is
deciding to embark upon a new business, members
state why the Group should be engaged in the business
and how it relates to the Group’s cause and the matter
is thoroughly discussed at Board of Directors’ meetings.
I think this is an excellent state of affairs.
Thanks to our reforms in recent years,
I believe that we are finally arriving
at a desirable form of risk control
that simultaneously enables safety
and boldness.
Akihiko Ono
Mr. Ono was appointed as a MOL representative director
and executive vice president executive officer in April 2020.
He joined MOL in 1983 and served for many years in the
Corporate Planning Division and the Containership segment.
Currently, as an executive vice president executive officer
he is responsible for overall management, presiding primarily
over the corporate divisions.
58
59
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Board of Directors, Audit & Supervisory Board Members, and Executive Officers
(As of June 30, 2020)
Junichiro Ikeda
Representative Director
Born 1956
Takeshi Hashimoto
Representative Director
Born 1957
Akihiko Ono
Representative Director
Born 1959
Etsuko Katsu
Outside Director (Independent Officer)
Masaru Onishi
Outside Director (Independent Officer)
Kenji Jitsu
Audit & Supervisory Board Member
Born 1960
Apr. 1979 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Jun. 2004
General Manager of Human
Resources Division
General Manager of Liner Division
Jun. 2007
Jun. 2008 Executive Officer
Jun. 2010 Managing Executive Officer
Director, Senior Managing
Jun. 2013
Executive Officer
Representative Director, President,
Chief Executive Officer (to present)
Jun. 2015
Apr. 1982 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Jun. 2008
General Manager of LNG Carrier
Division
Executive Officer, General Manager
of LNG Carrier Division
Jun. 2009
Jun. 2011 Executive Officer
Jun. 2012 Managing Executive Officer
Jun. 2015
Director, Managing Executive
Officer
Director, Senior Managing
Executive Officer
Representative Director, Executive
Vice President Executive Officer
(to present)
Apr. 2016
Apr. 2019
Apr. 1983 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
General Manager of Corporate
Jun. 2010
Planning Division
Executive Officer, General Manager
of Corporate Planning Division
Jun. 2011
Jun. 2015 Managing Executive Officer
Apr. 2017 Senior Managing Executive Officer
Jun. 2018
Director, Senior Managing
Executive Officer
Representative Director, Executive
Vice President Executive Officer
(to present)
Apr. 2020
Apr. 2003
Jun. 2016
Nov. 2016
Apr. 2018
Mar. 2019
Professor, School of Political
Science and Economics, Meiji
University (to present)
Outside Director, Mitsui O.S.K.
Lines, Ltd. (to present)
Administrative Board Member,
International Association of
Universities (to present)
Chairman of Fund Management
Advisory Committee, The Japan
Foundation (to present)
Outside Director (Audit &
Supervisory Committee Member),
Dentsu Group Inc. (to present)
Apr. 2013
Jun. 2015
Jul. 2018
Oct. 2018
Jun. 2019
Jun. 2019
Trustee, KEIZAI DOYUKAI (Japan
Association of Corporate
Executives) (to present)
Trustee, International University of
Japan (to present)
Visiting Professor, Toyo University
(to present)
Advisor, Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd. (to present)
Outside Director, Teijin Limited
(to present)
Outside Director, Mitsui O.S.K.
Lines, Ltd. (to present)
Apr. 1984 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Jun. 2009
Jun. 2013
Jun. 2015
Jun. 2017
General Manager of CSR and
Environment Office, Corporate
Planning Division
General Manager of Investor
Relations Office
General Manager of Accounting
Division
Audit & Supervisory Board
Member, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(to present)
Takashi Maruyama
Representative Director
Born 1959
Toshiaki Tanaka
Director
Born 1960
Apr. 1983 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Jun. 2010
General Manager of Finance
Division
Executive Officer, General Manager
of Finance Division
Jun. 2011
Jun. 2015 Managing Executive Officer
Jun. 2017
Apr. 2018
Apr. 2020
Director, Managing Executive
Officer
Director, Senior Managing
Executive Officer
Representative Director, Senior
Managing Executive Officer
(to present)
Jun. 2014
Apr. 1984 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
General Manager of Iron Ore &
Jun. 2011
Coal Carrier Division
Executive Officer, General Manager
of Iron Ore & Coal Carrier Division
Executive Officer
Managing Executive Officer
Director, Managing Executive
Officer (to present)
Jun. 2015
Apr. 2017
Jun. 2020
Hideto Fujii
Outside Director (Independent Officer)
Jun. 2015
Jun. 2016
Adviser, Sumitomo Corporation
(to present)
Outside Director, Mitsui O.S.K.
Lines, Ltd. (to present)
Toshiaki Takeda
Audit & Supervisory Board Member
Born 1964
Hideki Yamashita
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member
(Independent Officer)
Junko Imura
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member
(Independent Officer)
Apr. 1986 Joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Jun. 2015
General Manager of General
Affairs Division
General Manager of Secretaries &
General Affairs Division
Audit & Supervisory Board
Member, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(to present)
Apr. 2018
Jun. 2019
Apr. 1982 Registered as an attorney at law
Established YAMASHITA HIDEKI
Apr. 1985
LAW OFFICE (now YAMASHITA &
TOYAMA LAW OFFICE) (to present)
Outside Corporate Auditor, I-cell
Networks Corp. (to present)
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board
Member, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(to present)
Mar. 2012
Jun. 2014
Aug. 1994
Sep. 2015
Jul. 2018
Jun. 2019
Dec. 2019
Jun. 2020
Registered as a certified public
accountant
Visiting Professor, Tama Graduate
School of Business (to present)
Established Imura Accounting
Office (to present)
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board
Member, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
(to present)
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board
Member, T. HASEGAWA CO., LTD.
(to present)
Outside Director, Audit and
Supervisory Committee Member,
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking
Corporation (to present)
60
61
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020Board of Directors, Audit & Supervisory Board Members, and Executive Officers
Corporate Governance
Executive Officers
Corporate Governance for Sustainable Growth and Enhancement of Corporate Value
Junichiro Ikeda
President, Chief Executive Officer
Kenta Matsuzaka
Managing Executive Officer
Director General, Energy Transport
Business Unit, Responsible for; Energy
Business Strategy Division, LNG Carrier
Division, LNG Marine Technical & Ship
Management Strategy Division
Masato Koike
Managing Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Energy
Transport Business Unit, Responsible
for; Bunker Business Division,
Tanker Division
Yutaka Hinooka
Managing Executive Officer
Director General, Product Transport
Business Unit, Responsible for; Port
Projects & Logistics Business Division
Toshinobu Shinoda
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Communication Officer,
Responsible for; Corporate Planning
Division, Corporate Communication
Division
Hirofumi Kuwata
Managing Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Dry Bulk
Business Unit, Deputy Director General,
Energy Transport Business Unit,
Responsible for; Steaming Coal &
Renewable Energy Project Division, Ferry
and Associated Business Division (Except
for Ferries and Coastal RoRo Business)
Nobuo Shiotsu
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Dry Bulk
Business Unit, Responsible for; Work
Efficiency Improvement, Iron Ore and
Coal Carrier Division
Atsushi Igaki
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Product
Transport Business Unit, Responsible
for; Ferry and Associated Business
Division (Ferries and Coastal RoRo
Business)
Hiroyuki Nakano
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Energy
Transport Business Unit, Responsible
for; Offshore Gas Project Division,
Offshore Project Division
Takeshi Hashimoto
Executive Vice President Executive
Officer
Assistant to President Executive Officer
(Mainly for business divisions),
Supervisor for Human Resources
Division, Responsible for; Europe and
Africa Area
Akihiko Ono
Executive Vice President Executive
Officer
Assistant to President (Mainly for corpo-
rate divisions), Chief Compliance Officer,
Chief Information Officer, Deputy
Director General, Safety Operations
Headquarters, Deputy Director General,
Technology Innovation Unit, Responsible
for; Regional Strategy for Japan, The
Americas Area, Refreshing Organization,
Enhancing Group Management,
Secretaries & General Affairs Division,
MOL Information Systems, Ltd.
Takashi Maruyama
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer, Responsible for;
Corporate Communication Division (IR),
Finance Division, Accounting Division
Yoshikazu Kawagoe
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Chief Technical Officer, Director General,
Technology Innovation Unit, Responsible
for; Technical Division, Smart Shipping
Division, Secondarily Responsible for
MOL Information Systems, Ltd.
Koichi Yashima
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Responsible for; Asia, the Middle East
and Oceania Area, Managing Director of
MOL (Asia Oceania) Pte. Ltd.
Toshiaki Tanaka
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Environment and Sustainability
Officer, Director General, Dry Bulk
Business Unit, Responsible for; Dry Bulk
Business Planning & Co-ordination
Division, Secondarily Responsible for
Corporate Planning Division (Mainly for
Environment Strategy and Sustainability
Promotion)
Masanori Kato
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Safety Officer, Director General,
Safety Operations Headquarters,
Responsible for; Human Resources
Division, Marine Safety Division,
Secondarily Responsible for Smart
Shipping Division
Hirotoshi Ushioku
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Product
Transport Business Unit, Responsible
for; Car Carrier Division
Kazuhiko Kikuchi
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Dry Bulk
Business Unit, Responsible for; Bulk
Carrier Division, Wood Chip Carrier
Division
Junko Moro
Executive Officer
Responsible for; Diversity Promotion,
Human Resources Division
Mitsuru Endo
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Safety
Operations Headquarters, Responsible
for; Marine Technical Management
Division, LNG Marine Technical & Ship
Management Strategy Division,
Secondarily Responsible for Marine
Safety Division, Smart Shipping Division
Osamu Sakurada
Executive Officer
General Manager of Port Projects &
Logistics Business Division
Akira Sasa
Executive Officer
Deputy Director General, Energy
Transport Business Unit, Secondarily
Responsible for Tanker Division (Mainly
for Product Tanker and Chemical Tanker
Business)
Ryusuke Kimura
Executive Officer
Chief Digital Officer, Assistant to Chief
Information Officer, Deputy Director
General, Technology Innovation Unit,
Deputy Director General, Product
Transport Business Unit, Responsible
for; Corporate Marketing Division, Liner
Business Management Division
Kyoya Nitta
Executive Officer
General Manager of Offshore Gas Project
Division
MOL greatly shored up its management structure around
2000. Taking a lead position among Japanese companies at
that time, MOL established an advanced and highly transpar-
ent corporate governance structure by, for example, inviting
outside directors and introducing an executive officer system.
The business environment surrounding the marine transport
business and its risk factors change rapidly. In order to navi-
gate through such a difficult situation, we must accurately
grasp our business environment, always confront risks appro-
priately, and effectively utilize management resources in a
Governance Summary (As of June 30, 2020)
careful balance of offense and defense. We believe that the
essentials of corporate governance are fostering sustainable
growth and increasing corporate value by making decisions
swiftly and boldly, guided by appropriate risk management,
while ensuring the transparency and fairness of management
and carefully considering the viewpoints of our diverse stake-
holders. Based on this belief, we will make continuous efforts
to promote our level of corporate governance.
Our Key
Progresses
in 2019
• Formulation of a President and CEO succession plan
• Participation of outside Audit & Supervisory Board members on the
Nomination Advisory Committee and the Remuneration Advisory Committee
as non-voting members
• Reduction of strategic shareholdings
Governance System
Total Directors
Company with an Audit &
Supervisory Board
8
Including outside directors (ratio)
3 (37.5%)
Total Audit & Supervisory
Board Members
4
Including outside members (ratio)
2 (50%)
Independent Officers
(Directors and Audit & Supervisory
Board Members)
5
Percentage of Female
Directors
12.5% (1 out of 8)
Number of
Board Meetings Held
Attendance Rate of Outside
Directors for Board Meetings
10
(Fiscal 2019)
100%
(Fiscal 2019)
Term of Directors
1 year
Nomination Advisory Committee
Remuneration Advisory Committee
Chair of committee: Etsuko Katsu (outside director)
Number of members: 4
Percentage of outside directors: 75%
Number of meetings: 6 (Fiscal 2019)
Chair of committee: Masaru Onishi (outside director)
Number of members: 4
Percentage of outside directors: 75%
Number of meetings: 5 (Fiscal 2019)
Performance-Based
Compensation
Stock Option System
Yes
Yes
Retirement
Benefit System
No
President Succession
Plan
Strategic Shareholdings as a
Percentage of Net Assets
Anti-Takeover
Measures
Yes
8.0%
(including unlisted stocks)
(as of March 31, 2020)
No
62
63
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance Structure
MOL has established a corporate governance system that maximizes shareholder profits through the most appropri-
ate allocation of management resources, with higher transparency of corporate management.
Corporate Governance Organization (As of June 23, 2020)
General Shareholders’ Meeting
Elect and appoint / dismiss
Elect and appoint / dismiss
Business audit /
Accounting audit
Board of Directors (Total: 8)
Outside directors: 3
Internal directors: 5
Accounting
audit
Audit & Supervisory Board
(Total: 4) Outside members: 2
Internal members: 2
Audit & Supervisory Board
Manager
Elect and
appoint /
dismiss
Chairman
Male
Female
Accounting Auditors
Elect and
appoint /
supervise
Elect and
appoint /
supervise
Submit basic management
policies and other issues
for discussion
Executive Committee (Total: 10)
President
Directors / Executive officers: 5
Executive officers: 5
Report
Report
Nomination Advisory
Committee (Total: 4)
Outside directors: 3
Internal directors: 1
Remuneration Advisory
Committee (Total: 4)
Outside directors: 3
Internal directors: 1
Submit to Executive Committee
after preliminary deliberations
Provide direction
on important
business issues
Submit for discussion and / or report on
important business and other issues
Committees under the Executive Committee
STEER Committee, Investment and Finance Committee, Operational
Safety Committee, Compliance Committee, Rolling Plan Special
Committee, and Environmental Management Committee
Instruction
Audit plan /
Audit Report
Executive Officers (Total: 24)
Submit for discussion and / or report
on important business and other issues
Collaborate with Audit
& Supervisory Board
members and
Accounting Auditor
Directors /
Executive officers: 5
Executive officers: 19
Divisions / Branches / Vessels / Group companies
Business audit / Accounting audit
Corporate Audit Division
Major Organizations
Name
Board of Directors
Audit & Supervisory
Board
Nomination Advisory
Committee and
Remuneration
Advisory Committee
Executive Committee
and Committees under
the Executive
committee
Details
As the Company’s highest-ranking decision-making body, the Board of Directors discusses and decides on basic policies and the most important
matters connected with MOL Group management. At MOL, out of the three hours scheduled for every Board of Directors’ meeting, one hour
is allotted to “Deliberation on Corporate Strategy and Vision.” For this deliberation, a theme is selected related to our management strategy,
long-term vision, or management in general, providing the opportunity for free exchange of opinions including outside directors and outside
Audit & Supervisory Board members. Since fiscal 2018, we have also held “Board Member Discussion Sessions” at appropriate intervals follow-
ing Board of Directors’ meetings to facilitate the early-stage sharing and discussion of important issues that have not reached the stage of
official board agenda.
The Audit & Supervisory Board draws up audit plans and reports and shares audit results. All Audit & Supervisory Board members attend
meetings of the Board of Directors, and full-time members also attend Executive Committee and other committee meetings to audit the delib-
eration and decision-making processes. By combining the information held by the full-time members and the high level of specialized expertise
of the outside members, MOL has created a system that ensures the active exercise of authority from an objective standpoint.
Under the Board of Directors, MOL has created the Nomination Advisory Committee and the Remuneration Advisory Committee as discretionary
organizations. Both committees comprise three outside directors and the Company president, chaired by an outside director. The Nomination
Advisory Committee focuses on the selection and dismissal of directors and executive officers. The Remuneration Advisory Committee focuses
on the remuneration of directors and executive officers, including incentives for contributing to long-term enhancement of corporate value. Each
committee discusses these matters from an objective standpoint.
Within the scope of the basic policy approved by the Board of Directors, MOL transfers a significant amount of authority to conduct businesses to
the Executive Committee. This helps to expedite decision-making on individual matters. Six committees exist under the Executive Committee to
study and deliberate particularly important matters which are brought to the Executive Committee, as well as cross-divisional propositions.
Main Agenda Items for Each Advisory Committee in Fiscal 2019
Nomination Advisory Committee (held 6 times)
Remuneration Advisory Committee (held 5 times)
President and CEO succession planning
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member participation in the
Nomination Advisory Committee as non-voting members
Election of directors and executive officers for fiscal 2020
Bonus for directors for fiscal 2018 and monthly remuneration for
directors for fiscal 2019
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member participation in the
Remuneration Advisory Committee as non-voting members
Director and executive officer compensation plans
and other matters
and other matters
Main Agenda Items for the Board of Directors’ “Deliberation on Corporate Strategy and Vision” in Fiscal 2019
Month
Agenda
Month
Agenda
July LNG carrier business strategy
December Latent customer needs and digitalization
September
ICT strategy
January MOL’s Corporate Principles
October Direction of Rolling Plan 2020
February Overall summary of Rolling Plan 2020
Appointment and Dismissal Procedures of Directors and Audit & Supervisory Board Members
The MOL Group has set up the Nomination Advisory
Committee in order to improve objectivity and transparency in
selection procedures for directors and Audit & Supervisory
Board members and also to strengthen accountability.
The committee selects the candidates based on its set of
standards and submits a report to the Board of Directors.
From fiscal 2019, outside Audit & Supervisory Board members
also began attending committee meetings as non-voting
members so they could understand the deliberation process
and express their opinions.
The Board of Directors nominates the candidate directors
and Audit & Supervisory Board members, taking into account
reports submitted by the Nomination Advisory Committee.
Candidates for Audit & Supervisory Board members are sub-
mitted to the Board of Directors after gaining the consent of
the Audit & Supervisory Board.
Expected Expertise and Attributes for Directors
Standards for appointing directors
a) Personnel who are able to contribute to enhancement of
the enterprise value of the Company based on a wealth
of experience and knowledge
b) Personnel who are able to make management decisions
globally from a broad-ranged perspective and foresight
c) Personnel with high ethical standards and solid
common sense
Standards for appointing Audit & Supervisory Board members
a) Personnel who have an appropriate set of experience,
qualification, ability, and expertise
b) Personnel who possess a high degree of financial and
accounting knowledge (more than one member)
Corporate
management
Finance
Strategy and
marketing
Global business
Risk manage-
ment and
compliance
ESG
Government
agency or
research
institution
Junichiro Ikeda
Representative Director
Takeshi Hashimoto
Representative Director
Akihiko Ono
Representative Director
Takashi Maruyama
Representative Director
l
a
n
r
e
t
n
I
Toshiaki Tanaka
Director
Hideto Fujii
Outside Director
(Independent Officer)
e
d
i
s
t
u
O
Etsuko Katsu
Outside Director
(Independent Officer)
Masaru Onishi
Outside Director
(Independent Officer)
Up to four areas of particularly expected expertise for the respective director.
(The chart above does not indicate all the knowledge or expertise each director possesses.)
President and CEO Succession Plan
To appoint a president and CEO (hereinafter referred to as
the “president”) who is eligible for the company in a timely
and appropriate manner, MOL has formulated a succession
plan for the president that contains requirements, the
appointment procedures, and a cultivation plan for
successor candidates. The Nomination Advisory Committee
will deliberate on a plan for the next president (including
the re-appointment and dismissal of the incumbent presi-
dent) based on the succession plan and submit it to the
Board of Directors.
64
65
For Our Sustainable GrowthMITSUI O.S.K. LINES MOL REPORT 2020
Corporate Governance
Assessment of Board of Directors’ Effectiveness
Method of Computing Compensation for Directors and Audit & Supervisory Board Members
MOL assesses and analyzes the effectiveness of its Board of Directors by conducting a self-assessment questionnaire
each year and deliberating the results at a Board of Directors’ meeting. We strive to enhance Board of Directors’
effectiveness by ascertaining issues through this process and formulating improvement measures.
Director Compensation
Basic Policy on Design of the Remuneration System
Conducting
Effectiveness
Assessments
Schedule
Overview explanation of the
procedure to directors: Late April
(at a Board of Directors’ meeting)
Main Items in the Self-Evaluation Questionnaire
•• Composition of the Board of Directors
•• Quality of discussions and appropriateness of
risk management
Implementation of questionnaire: Early May
•• Effectiveness of discussions pertaining to management plan
Deliberations based on questionnaire results:
Late May
•• Management of “Deliberation on Corporate Strategy and Vision”
Assessment Results
in Fiscal 2019
After an assessment, it was concluded that the
Board of Directors was composed appropriately
and operated with a sufficient level of effective-
ness. In particular for fiscal 2019, newly intro-
duced summary sheets that organize the
outlines and issues of agenda items further
enhanced the productivity of discussions. The
“Board Member Discussion Sessions” intro-
duced in fiscal 2018 have become an estab-
lished practice, and were highly acclaimed to
have facilitated early-stage sharing and discus-
sion of important issues that had not yet
reached the board agenda. To further enhance
effectiveness, there were some constructive
opinions on which agenda items to take up and
their time allocation. Opinions were also raised
on the importance of focused discussions on
medium- to long-term strategies correspond-
ing to changes to the business environment due
to COVID-19 and global economic trends
post-COVID 19. These points were recognized
as issues to tackle going forward.
Number of Agenda Items and Average
Deliberation Time at Board of Directors’ Meetings
(Number of agenda items)
(Minutes)
80
60
40
20
0
By narrowing down the number of items to be
discussed at meetings, we increased
deliberation time per item.
12.0
61
6.7
56
6.8
8.2
43
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
9.0
6.0
3.0
0.0
Number of agenda items resolved (left)
Average deliberation time per agenda item (right)
Directions for
Fiscal 2020
Taking into consideration the issues recognized during the fiscal 2019 assessment, in the next fiscal
year the Board of Directors will work on improvements in three areas aiming to further enhance its
effectiveness. These areas are (1) prioritizing agenda items to be discussed at Board of Directors’
meetings, (2) reviewing the meeting outlines (number of meetings and their duration), and (3) inventing
ways to make discussions more effective, such as organizing points of issues and improving explana-
tion methods.
Initiatives to Ensure the Functions of Outside Directors and Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Members
Support systems
• • Providing orientations on MOL Group’s business at the time of
assuming office
Examples of activities of outside directors and outside Audit & Supervisory
Board members (Fiscal 2019)
• • Lectures and discussions at training sessions for executive officers,
liaison meetings of group Audit & Supervisory Board members, etc.
• • Prior explanation by documents or meeting on the Board of
• • Attendance at the long-service award and family day event for
Director agenda items before each meeting
Filipino seafarers (the Philippines)
• • On-site visits to MOL-operated vessels as part of MOL’s safety
operation campaign
and others
• • Observation of MOL Group companies' operation
Policy on Strategic Shareholdings
MOL holds shares in companies with which it has important business relationships and close cooperative relation-
ships, including business alliances, for the purpose of enhancing the growth and corporate value of the company over
the medium to long term by maintaining and strengthening these relationships. For the shares held by the Company,
the rationality of holding them, such as the adequacy of the purpose and the profitability in light of the cost of capital,
are reported to the Board of Directors individually every year. Following a comprehensive verification, shares that
do not have adequate reasons to be kept are gradually reduced. As the result of the reduction of shares under this
policy, the ratio of strategic shareholdings to net assets* had been reduced to 8.0% (7.0% if only listed stocks are
counted) as of March 31, 2020.
* The total balance sheet amount of investment securities held for purposes other than pure investment as a percentage of consolidated net assets
•• The remuneration system shall give incentives for improving corporate value sustainably.
•• Remuneration shall be at a sufficient level for securing human resources, with reference to companies in the same industry or companies of the
similar size.
•• The system shall be linked with business performance giving incentives for reaching performance goals, and achievement rate on the
Company’s strategic items shall be evaluated qualitatively.
•• Remuneration shall employ objective and transparent procedures, drawing on decisions made by the Board of Directors based on the findings of
the Remuneration Advisory Committee, the majority of which consists of outside directors, chaired by an outside director.
Composition of Remuneration
Remuneration for MOL’s directors consists of fixed monthly remuneration, performance-based cash bonus, and stock options. The composi-
tion ratio below is for a model case based on the assumption that the target of around ¥80.0 to ¥100.0 billion in ordinary profit is achieved.
Item
Component
Composition
ratio
Details
Fixed
Remuneration
Monthly
Remuneration
65%
• • An amount of remuneration is determined for each director depending on their responsibilities.
• • A fixed amount is paid monthly in cash.
Variable
Remuneration
Performance-
Based
Compensation
(Bonuses)
• • The level of performance of the entire Company’s business results is determined based on achievement of perfor-
mance goals set forth in the management plan, in consideration of dividend payout ratios and qualitative achievement
of goals.
30%
• • Bonus is determined by the base amount for each position according to the level of performance of the entire
Company’s business results, and additional individual compensation depending on the results of a division in charge.
(No lower limits)
• • A variable amount is paid in cash every June.
Stock Options
5%
• • Aims to give incentives for sustainably improving corporate value and sharing value with shareholders even further
• • The exercise period is from the day marking two years past the grant date to the day marking 10 years past the grant date.
• • Provided every August based on the position of each director
Indicators for Performance-Based Compensation (Bonuses)
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