The MOL Group, with a core business of shipping, engages in the transport of a broad range of cargoes, including natural resources, energy, raw materials, and manufactured products, that contribute to industrial growth and better lives for people around the world. We run and develop our businesses, taking sufficiently into consideration environmental and social issues as a player in an industry that is indispensable to the sustainable development of the world economy.
Bulkships
Dry Bulkers
Transporting the World's Natural Resources with One of the World's Biggest Fleets
Dry bulkers transport massive quantities of dry cargo that is not individually packaged. Dry bulkers include very large iron ore carriers (VLOCs); specialized coal carriers matched to the size of loading/discharging ports; wood chip carriers, which transport wood chips; and bulkers that transport general cargo including grain. The cargoes transported by dry bulkers are used as various raw materials and fuel as well as food and animal feed. In addition, MOL's fleet includes heavy lifters, which transport heavy, large cargoes that cannot be carried by conventional cargo ships, such as large machinery and plants vital for industrial growth.
A 300,000 DWT-class VLOC at 340 meters long is higher than the Tokyo Tower (333 meters high) when laid on its side. The holds of these ships measure about 200,000 cubic meters. That's equivalent to the water from about 80 Olympic-sized 50-meter swimming pools.
Tankers
Experts in Energy Transport
Safe, efficient transport is crucial for ensuring stable supplies of crude oil, one of the world's main energy sources. The MOL Group has a varied fleet of oil tankers from VLCCs (tankers of more than 200,000 DWT) to small and medium-sized vessels called Suezmax and Aframax. With this varied fleet, MOL contributes to the stable supply of oil for the world. MOL also has product tankers that carry refined petroleum products, including naphtha and gasoline; chemical tankers for transporting liquefied chemical products; and LPG tankers for transporting liquefied petroleum gas. MOL supports the world's lifelines with one of the world's largest fleets for energy transport, and its extensive transportation expertise.
300,000-DWT oil tankers (VLCCs) can transport 340,000 kiloliters of crude oil at a time. This represents half of Japan's daily fuel consumption. The cargo of approximately 3.6 VLCCs would be enough to fill the Tokyo Dome.
LNG Carriers
Aiming to Stably Transport Clean Energy
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is attracting considerable attention as an environmentally-friendly clean energy resource and demand for this fuel is rising around the world. The transportation of LNG, which is used as a feedstock for city gas and gas- fired thermal power plants, supports our daily lives and the growth of businesses. Since participating in its first LNG transportation project in 1983, MOL has amassed a wealth of expertise and experience in LNG transportation. As one of the world's leading LNG ocean transport companies, MOL will continue meeting world LNG demand by upgrading and expanding its fleet and rigorously practicing safe operation based on its advanced technologies and expertise.
When natural gas is transported by sea, it is cooled to minus 162°C, at which point it liquefies and becomes one-six-hundredth of the volume of its gaseous state at normal temperature, facilitating the transport of large quantities. One large LNG carrier transports enough LNG for 200,000 Japanese households for 1 year.
Car Carriers
Transporting Cars in a Safe, Reliable and Eco-Friendly Manner
The auto industry is one of the cornerstones of Japan's growth. MOL was the first shipping company in Japan to launch a car carrier service in 1965. Since then, as the pioneer of car transportation, MOL has worked to provide safe and reliable transport services to meet the needs of automakers, who are increasingly producing vehicles around the world. MOL has established a solid position among the world's car carrier fleets not only through quality car transport services and fleet size, but also environmental consciousness. Our new environmental technologies include vessels with lower wind and water pressure resistance. By transporting cargo that can be driven on and off vessels, from passenger cars to construction machinery, MOL supports comfortable lives for all.
Measuring 45.5 meters in height, large car carriers have 12 to 14 floors, making them like large parking buildings. Expert drivers load around 120 vehicles in 1 hour without damage. Their driving technique and powers of concentration make them quintessential professionals.
Containerships
A Balanced Network That Covers the Entire Globe
The containership business provides transportation services for electrical products, auto parts, household furniture, food products and other products in containers. MOL's containership business provides a balanced network that covers the entire globe, from the key east-west routes linking Asia to North America and Asia to Europe, to the north-south or Intra-Asia routes. Furthermore, with our worldwide network and an integrated state-of-the-art IT system, we provide logistics services matching customers' needs. Moreover, we have established service indicators common all over the world for on time arrival performance, environmental impact reduction and safe operation, as well as set standards for these indicators. By also periodically disclosing the results, we are working to raise customer satisfaction.
If you laid all the containers on MOL's largest containership end to end they would stretch for approximately 50 km. Containerships efficiently transport large volumes of cargo in a single voyage, acting like a "conveyor belt" connecting the world.
Ferry & Domestic Transport Business
One of Japan's Largest Networks Promoting the Flow of People and Goods
The MOL Group offers one of Japan's largest ferry and domestic transport service lineups. Ferries offer various amenities for an enjoyable voyage such as restaurants, spas and entertainment. They provide a comfortable and relaxing travel experience that cannot be experienced with other modes of transportation and also carry cargo. Domestic coastal vessels transport food, daily necessities, industrial materials, oil and other cargo, supporting the lives of people and industry in Japan. Furthermore, by actively responding to needs driven by a modal shift for the use of means of transport with a low environmental impact, these transportation services are contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions in Japan's distribution sector.
Associated Businesses
Various Peripheral Businesses Support Comprehensive Capabilities Centered on the Shipping Business
The MOL Group has accumulated management knowhow through its core business of shipping over around 130 years. We have worked to enhance shipping-related business services such as the cruise business that operates the Nippon Maru, one of Japan's largest tugboat operations, land transportation, warehousing and marine consulting. In addition, we also conduct travel, marine/civil engineering, building leasing and real estate management, finance, trading, insurance, IT and communications, temporary staffing and other businesses as well as support a national program to build an emergency oil reserve. Through these businesses related directly and indirectly to the shipping business, we are contributing to various corporate activities and improving people's lives.
