MOL Installs Auto Monitoring System for Reefer Containers at Tokyo International Container Terminal

April 21, 2009

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced the installation of an automatic monitoring system for reefer containers at the Tokyo International Container Terminal (TICT)^*1. MOL and Wilco Inc.^*2 jointly demonstrated the system, which automatically monitors the temperature in each reefer container. Based on the results of the demonstration, MOL decided to introduce the system at TICT, the first full-scale system installed at any of Tokyo Bay container terminal.

The system relies on power lines^*3 to automatically transmit information from modems on containers to monitors in the terminal office. The signals travel over the same power lines that supply electricity to the reefer containers (please refer to the diagram).

Until now, the temperature in the reefer container was controlled by connecting a special cable for monitoring or by periodic visual checks. Installation of the new system ensures safe and reliable control of temperature in the reefer container by automatically monitoring over a 24-hour period. The monitored data is stored, so terminal personnel can track time-oriented changes in temperature.

Previous monitoring systems using power lines were subject to interference from the surrounding environment, preventing wide acceptance. But the demonstration test proved that the new system is not affected by interference, and provides accurate, real-time information.

MOL plans to install the reefer container auto monitoring system at its operated container terminals successively, in Japan and overseas. This will enhance the quality of reefer container control at MOL container terminals, contributing to even better customer service.

• *1 Tokyo International Container Terminal:
  MOL-operated container terminal in Ohi,Tokyo. MOL's wholly owned International Container Terminal Co., Ltd. operates and manages the terminal.

• *2 Wilco Inc.:
  Telecommunications development, engineering, and manufacturing company focusing on power lines and system software development (headquarters: Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo / President: Takahiko Tone)

• *3 Power lines Communication:
  Technology that sends and receives data modulated at a high frequency, through power lines. It eliminates the need to install new dedicated lines, and allows development of a new data telecommunication network using existing power lines.