Top Page > Press Release 2023 > Japan's 1st LNG-fueled Ferries, MOL Group's 'Sunflower Kurenai' and 'Sunflower Murasaki,' Win Good Design Award 2023

Japan's 1st LNG-fueled Ferries, MOL Group's 'Sunflower Kurenai' and 'Sunflower Murasaki,' Win Good Design Award 2023

October 05, 2023

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that Japan's first LNG-fueled ferries, the "Sunflower Kurenai" and "Sunflower Murasaki" (Note 1), operated by MOL Group Company MOL Sunflower Ltd. (President: & CEO: Hirotoshi Ushioku; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), received the Good Design Award (Note 2) 2023, from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JDP). This is the first time in 33 years that long-distance ferries have received this award.

Japan's first LNG-fueled ferry, the Sunflower Kurenai

In selecting the ferries for the award, the judges gave it high marks, noting that, "With the recent emergence of various problems in truck logistics, the modal shift is an urgent issue. However, diesel engines are the main source of power for vessels as well, and environmental measures are required. Against this situation, these vessels are the first LNG-fueled ferries in Japan. They are expected to protect the environment of the navigation areas as well as the ports. While reflecting more than 100 years of history in the naming and tailoring of the vessels' interior, we also appreciated the skillful incorporation of updates in line with the times, such as the use of QR codes to provide information(Note 3) and the terminals incorporating universal design."

Providing information via QR code
Terminal incorporating universal design

The Good Design Award 2023 will help the MOL Group's ferry business accelerate the popularity of its "Casual Cruise Concept"(Note 4). The group will contribute to improving the wellbeing of customers by offering a comfortable cruise experience that allows them to feel "bonding," "peace of mind," and "confidence" with their family, friends, pets, colleagues, acquaintances, and others along for the trip.

(Note 1) Press releases related to the Sunflower Kurenai, Sunflower Murasaki

Awards won by the Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki

(Note 2) The Good Design Award is in a program to evaluate and encourage design representing Japan, which inherits the Good Design Product Selection System (G Mark System) founded in 1957. A competition is held every year aiming to improve the quality of life through a global design award program in which many companies and organizations participate, and to make the best use of designs as solutions to social issues and themes. The "G Mark" symbol of the award has universally gained popularity as the symbol of excellent design.
GOOD DESIGN AWARD (g-mark.org)

(Note 3) Providing information via QR code is a gallery service that allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to look up onboard maps, weather at your destination, and tourist information, as well as the history of the MOL Group's cruise ships, including the history of Sunflower's three Kansai-Kyusyu routes. There is also a video service with about 100 movie titles available free of charge.
https://www.ferry-sunflower.co.jp/news/article/sunflowerssq.html

(Note 4) The basic concept of the MOL Group's ferry business, which allows passengers to casually enjoy a high-quality cruise with regular routes and schedules.

MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues
MOL Group identifies "Sustainability Issues" (Materiality) as our key issues for sustainable growth with society through realization of the Group Vision.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value -Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-", "Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-", "Human & Community -Contributing to the growth and development of people and communities-"and "Innovation -Innovation for development in marine technology-".