With business activities spread across the globe, protecting the global environment is included as one of MOL's top priorities, alongside safe operation, in the MOL Group Corporate Principles. The Senpaku ISHIN project, our concept for next-generation vessels, three of which were announced from 2009 through 2010, is a ground breaking initiative that helps protect the environment in a substantive way by reducing CO₂ emissions using feasible technologies.
Please refer to the CSR/Environment page for a detailed look at the features and development of the ISHIN series, including the hybrid car carrier Emerald Ace, completed in June 2012. This revolutionary ship represents a significant step forward in realizing the objectives of ISHIN-I.

MOL is always looking for ways to improve the safety, efficiency,
and environment-friendliness of ship operation, and takes a proactive stance on research and development. The Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF), which enhances propulsion efficiency by effectively breaking up the strong hub vortex that forms behind a rotating propeller, can increase fuel efficiency by about 4-5%. The PBCF has been patented in 12 nations and is in use on more than 2,100 large-scale vessels(*). In addition, we have been jointly developing a new type of PBCF with Akishima Laboratory (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. (additional patent pending in March 2009), aiming to commercialize the technology as quickly as possible. The MOL Technology Research Center also conducts ongoing analysis of oil and lubricants to prevent problems arising from the use of substandard oil, helping our ships operate with greater levels of safety, efficiency, and reliability. In 2009, the center developed the vessel fuel additive TAICRUSH HD, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces vessel CO₂ emissions.

(*) As of March 31, 2012