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Voices from the Forefront

Here we post commentary from the Group employees that support MOL worldwide.

Receiving 2010 Outstanding Seafarer Award


Mr. Ghosh and his wife (fifth and sixth from the right) at the 2010 award ceremony for outstanding seafarers.

Santanu Ghosh, Chief Engineer, Containership MOL CELEBRATION
Recipient of 2010 Outstanding Seafarer Award

MOL's safety culture is fostered through teamwork and communication. Teamwork requires all- round participation and at the same time transparency. True, transparent, two-way communication and feedback are of immense importance in building teamwork among the various participants. This encourages new ideas to come to the fore, providing quicker and better solutions to problems. This continuous practice of analyzing and implementing solutions builds a sense of confidence as well. In the process, this culture provides an environment conducive to cleaner, safer, and healthier growth. I think our team worked well together, which is very important. I have promised myself that I will work with even greater effort and energy to improve my performance.

Mrs. Purba Ghosh
I am so happy to receive this award, and that MOL invited us. This shows how MOL values the families of its people and is concerned about them.

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Working Hard Every Day With the Understanding and Cooperation of the Company and My Family

Masumi Hida, Human Resources Planning Group, Human Resources Division
I returned to work in May last year after taking child-care leave. At present, I am responsible for land-based staff in Japan in the Human Resources Division. Something I didn't realize before, but do now after having actually used the system, is that the company has designed easy-to-use systems for employees from many perspectives. I have come to appreciate the importance of these systems. Based on this newfound appreciation, I go about my duties thinking of how I can support employees so that they can work with peace of mind, while being true to the essence of the company. My child is still young, so I need to take a lot of unplanned time off. However, my workmates cover for me and understand my situation. I really appreciate their thoughtfulness and understanding. The support I receive from my family and colleagues motivates me to work hard day in and day out.

Increasing and ensuring awareness of policies related to protecting human rights


(far right)

Masaru Satose, Managing Director, MOL (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
The guidebook issued to our staff covers employment, compliance with antitrust law, rules of conduct, valuing diversity and dignity at work, occupational safety, business continuity planning, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, staff counseling, disciplinary actions, responding to discontent and other policies related to protecting human rights.

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Executing Senpaku ISHIN project


Team Senpaku ISHIN(Fourth person from left)

Takahiro Hayakawa, Ship Design Group, Technical Division
Executing a project that organically combines two disparate industrial sectors-a large oceangoing vessel and lithium-ion batteries-is a major challenge. Establishing safety measures was particularly difficult. But thanks to effective teamwork, we are now projecting delivery of a hybrid car carrier in June 2012. It is our hope that expertise gained from the project will help lower the environmental impact of ships in the future.

Thoughts on My Training Voyage

Taketo Otomo, LNG carrier Al Zubarah
I spent three months aboard an LNG carrier training as a Junior Third Engineer. I worked hard every day, knowing that the safe transportation of the energy resources that society needs supports the lifestyles of many people around the world. My work involved using all five senses to conduct careful checks of the on-board equipment I was assigned, continuously monitoring their status and conducting accurate maintenance in order to prevent any malfunction from occurring. Before performing maintenance work, we all participated in "Kiken Yochi Training" (KYT; danger awareness training), confirming safety before beginning work in order to prevent accidents.
I learned through this training voyage that by continuing these tireless efforts, we can ensure safe ship operations. Next time I am aboard a vessel, I will remember the spirit of Safety First, and work to contribute to safe operations.

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To complete all assigned tasks in a safe and timely manner, with due consideration to company policy on safety, the environment, and the safe custody of company equipment and cargo

Jim Whitelaw, Chief Engineer, LNG carrier Dukhan
It is my responsibility as chief engineer to ensure that everyone is familiar with the company's SMS and safety requirements and to ensure that these standards are adhered to at all times. Due to the increasing complexity of the modern LNG carrier, training and instruction by more senior members of the vessel team is necessary so that junior officers and crew can carry out maintenance tasks efficiently and safely. The company-generated "permit to work" and "risk assessment" forms should be properly completed each time any work is to be done. Submitting a properly completed risk assessment and a work scope for the intended work is also essential.
Considering environmental issues, I am responsible for ensuring that our fuel oil burning equipment is maintained to the highest standard and that fuel oil consumption is kept to an absolute minimum. We are also aware of the changing regulations regarding the burning of high sulfur content fuel and the long-term consequences to the atmosphere.

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Goals as a Marine Transport Engineer

Jin Yamasaki, Technical Division
There are some who probably consider ship technology to have matured a long time ago. But today, the demand to lower environmental impact and cut costs in response to elevated fuel prices has risen sharply. In turn, this situation is spurring both the adoption of new rules and the development of new technologies. Outside the world of marine transport, efforts to encourage the switch to new energy sources and the adoption of environmental technology are happening everywhere. This trend is continuing to bring changes to the types of cargo present, cargo movement, and the distribution of goods. Given this climate, I want to be involved in projects to develop ships that incorporate innovative technology for improving energy efficiency and meeting the challenges presented by the transport of new types of cargo.
At a marine transport firm, the job of an engineer involves no direct hand in the shipyard making things. Our job in a shipbuilding project instead involves listening to and coordinating requests from cargo owners and ideas from shipyards, manufacturers and ship crews. Once cost, maintenance and other factors have been considered, our job is to pull all of this together into a project that will make our newest ships the best mode of transportation possible. My goal today is to become an engineer who can lead projects that develop and construct new ships, all while properly balancing the range of core elements that go into a vessel, including those from areas outside of technology.

Hands-on approach for ensuring safe operation

Toshikazu Inaoka, Deputy General Manager, Dry Bulk Carrier Supervising Office
An accidental collision that led to the total loss of a Cape-size bulker in May 2010 was a painful incident. We learned that the background of this accident was a lapse in common sense and traditional seamanship on the vessel. In the wake of this accident, we became even more keenly aware that it's always necessary to go back to basics. That is, there's little hope of enhancing safe operation only by discussions and information based on general concepts of MOL vessels, without considering the quality of vessels, the condition of equipment and machinery, and the conscientiousness of the seafarers.
It is not easy to visit all 300-plus bulkships and raise the safety level of the whole fleet at once, but we pay close attention to the vessels, consistently go and see what is really occurring on aboard, and focus on enlightenment and education of seafarers.

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Aiming at compatibility of 'safe operation' and 'requirements from the business section'

Hironori Takezaki, Manager, Car Carrier Division
am responsible for the Africa route, which handles cargo for more than 50 customers. Some 200 bills of lading (B/Ls) are carried on a single large-scale (5,000-unit) car carrier. When plotting out the navigation plan, I make every effort to meet customer requirements for loading dates and arrival assignments. On the other hand, requests from the business division, if we put the highest priority on these, it may sometimes conflict with safe operation. I consider safe operation a matter of course, and constantly work toward solutions that ensure safe operation and accommodate business needs, while maintaining close communication with vessels and our division's Vessel and Marine Engineering Group. African ports have many problems we cannot imagine in advanced nations, such as sunken ships that aren't shown on charts and a shortage of accurate port/harbor data. Furthermore, while the piracy issue is drawing attention lately, I try to put "safe and reliable transport" into practice by always sharing the latest information with vessels and other concerned parties.

Working Hard Every Day With the Understanding and Cooperation of the Company and My Family

Eiko Kagata, CSR and Environment Office, Corporate Planning Division
I took child-care leave twice, for a total of 801 days, and returned to work in May 2010. Every day is busy as I juggle my work and family commitments, but with the understanding and cooperation of the company and my family, I am leading a very rewarding life. I have to deal with the various problems of being a working mother.
For example, soon after I returned to work, I got a call from the nursery school saying that my child had taken ill suddenly, and I had to leave work. Thanks to the support of my colleagues, I was able to overcome these challenges. Within the area of CSR, I am currently working mainly on social contribution activities.
In my work, I feel a great sense of responsibility as a member of the CSR and Environment Office within the broad range of activities we pursue. My aim is to deliver results by using my time efficiently.

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