Mitsui O.S.K. Lines : About MOL

1878	The iron-hulled steamer HIDEYOSHI MARU begins ocean transport of Miike coal from Kuchinotsu (Japan) to Shanghai.
1884	Osaka Shosen Kaisha (OSK Lines) is founded.
1930	The high-speed cargo ship KINAI MARU is launched, and covers the Yokohama-New York route in 25 days and 17.5 hours, well below the industry average of 35 days.
1939	The ARGENTINA MARU and BRASIL MARU are built and launched as cargo/passenger liners on the South America route. These vessels represent the state-of-the-art in Japanese shipbuilding at the time.
1942	Mitsui & Co. spins off its shipping department to create Mitsui Steamship Co., Ltd.
1961	World's first automated ship, the KINKASAN MARU, with an engine room operated entirely from the bridge, is launched. Automation reduces the number of seafarers from 52 to 38.
1964	Japan's shipping industry undergoes a major consolidation, with mergers creating six companies -- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) by a merger of OSK Lines and Mitsui Steamship, Japan Line, Ltd. (JL) by a merger of Nitto Shosen and Daido Kaiun, and Yamashita-Shinnihon Steamship Co., Ltd. (YSL) by a merger of Yamashita Kisen and Shinnihon Kisen.
1965	Japan's first specialized car carrier, the OPPAMA MARU, is launched.
1968	MOL, JL, and YSL launch the full containerships AMERICA MARU, JAPAN ACE, and KASHU MARU, respectively, on the Japan-California route.
1984	LNG carrier SENSHU MARU is launched.
1989	Japan's first full-fledged cruise ship, the FUJI MARU, is launched, ushering in the era of leisure cruises in Japan. Navix Line is established by the merger of JL and YSL.
1990	The Fuji Maru's sister ship, the NIPPON MARU, joins the fleet.
1993	Crew training school is established in Manila.
1994	MOL Safety management System is certified under ISM Code and ISO9002.
1995	Container route service through a strategic international tie-up called The Global Alliance (TGA), begins. The first double hull very large crude carrier (VLCC) the ATLANTIC LIBERTY, is launched.
1996	Liner business department acquires ISO9002 certification.
1998	The New World Alliance (TNWA) is inaugurated. Car carrier division earns ISO9002 certification.
1999	New Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is established by the merger of MOL and Navix Line MOL Japan is established.
2000	MOL Environmental Policy Statements are issued.
2001	MOL Group Corporate Principles are established.
2003	All departments at the Head Office and MOL-operated vessels acquire ISO14001.
2005	MOL participates in the UN-backed Global Compact.
2007	Safety Operation Supporting Center is established in the Head Office. MOL Group logo mark is introduced. Training vessel SPIRIT OF MOL is launched. The World's largest iron ore carrier, BRASIL MARU, is launched.