MOL President & CEO Hashimoto Welcomes New Employees at Company’s Entrance Ceremony

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), a major Tokyo shipping company, welcomed 69 new employees on October 1. Among them, 22 are fresh graduates starting careers at sea, while 47 have been recruited for onshore positions. President and CEO Takeshi Hashimoto gave an inspiring speech during the entrance ceremony, outlining the company’s plans for the future.

Three Big Challenges for the Future

MOL has been performing well, but the world around it is changing fast. To keep up, the company is focusing on three important goals to ensure steady growth in this rapidly evolving environment.

1. Environmental Responsibility

MOL’s top priority is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company plans to switch from heavy oil to cleaner fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and methanol, which emit fewer GHGs. MOL is also exploring innovative technologies like wind power systems, such as their “Wind Challenger” hard sail, to further reduce emissions. Though this will require money, effort, and advanced technology, MOL is committed to achieving these goals to help protect the environment.

2. Global Expansion

The second focus for MOL is growing its business globally. Historically, MOL’s operations have mostly been centered in Japan. Now, the company is looking to expand to new regions, including Southeast Asia, India, Africa, and South America. This move is aimed at increasing MOL’s global presence and making the company more competitive on the world stage.

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3. Growth Beyond Shipping

Finally, MOL is looking to expand beyond its traditional shipping business. To ensure long-term success, the company is developing new opportunities in offshore operations, logistics, real estate, and even cruise lines. MOL believes that diversifying its business will lead to stable and sustainable growth in the future.

People Are the Key to Success

In his speech, Hashimoto emphasized that the key to meeting these challenges lies in MOL’s employees. He encouraged the new recruits to bring their unique skills and knowledge to help the company succeed. MOL is committed to learning from the best practices around the world, and the fresh perspectives of its employees will be crucial to driving the company forward.

As MOL looks toward the future, its focus on environmental responsibility, global expansion, and business growth beyond shipping sets the stage for continued success. The new employees are expected to play a major role in achieving these goals, helping MOL navigate through the challenges ahead and continue thriving as a leader in the shipping industry.