| Nishikawa: It may not be a huge story, but in recent years, beds and toilets on MOL's vessels have become larger. Because European seafarers, who tend to be larger, have been serving on our ships, including VLCCs. In addition we had a request to make the ceilings higher, and we're doing our best to respond.
Q. What are your recent tasks from the environmental point of view?
Nishikawa: The PCTC Euphony Ace, launched in November 2005, is MOL's most environmentally advanced vessel. It features a solar power generation system, a solid waste removal system, and garbage recycling technology. In June 2007, we will launch a containership equipped with an electronically-controlled engine, which will help reduce emissions of CO2 and NOx.
Gradual Increase in Korean-Built Ships
Q. South Korea is emerging as on of a leader in shipbuilding, especially LNG carriers. What is your view on this trend?
Nishikawa: Japan and South Korea account for about 70% (35% each nation) of the world's total shipbuilding capacity of about 40 million GT. In my opinion, South Korean shipbuilding technology is satisfactory. But it seems that Japanese shipyards have more experience when it comes to overall quality control in the manufacturing process.
MOL is now ordering half of its LNG carriers from South Korean shipyards. Looking at MOL's owned fleet, 20 of the 100 vessels we plan to build in the future will be made-in South Korea, so it's important to strengthen our supervisory system.
Q. The MOL STEP Review says the company is planning to build 145 vessels in three years from FY2004 to 2006, and another 142 in the next three years. Is your division changing its personnel planning to respond to this?
Nishikawa: We transferred design and supervision of newly built vessels to M.O. Ship Tech Inc. (MOST). We plan to increase our on-site supervisory personnel in tandem with MOST. Since vessel construction in South Korea has gradually increased as I explained earlier, we have already hired Korean superintendents. Transferring the supervisory operations will allow Technical Division staff to focus on MOL's core business.
Facing 2007 Issues Head-on
Q. What exactly is the "core business"?
Nishikawa: In short, it's adopting new technologies for our vessels and ensuring competitiveness. To that end, R&D such as LNG carrier-related research and voyage analysis of new ships is important. R&D is not conducted only by the Technical Division. We work closely with sales divisions, the Marine Management Division, ship management companies, and shipyards. The challenge for our division is how we meet various needs presented by each division based on our past data and research for new technologies.
The "Year 2007" issue refers to masses of Japan's baby-boom generation engineers reaching retirement age, creating shortages in shipbuilding and shipping. We have to nurture excellent engineers who understand our business style. If we can't do that, we may not be able to continue developing our own technology and know-how inside the company.
One example of a recent new technology is a new concept of diesel-powered vessel among our new LNG carriers. Of course, there's nothing groundbreaking about a diesel-powered vessel. But traditionally, all LNG carriers have been turbine-powered. So the introduction of a diesel engine in an LNG carrier really is an innovation. We have to pick up these technologies quickly.
Q. What would like to say to your staff?
Nishikawa: I would like everyone to take a broad perspective in our work. Please do not look only at your specialized area. See what's happening outside your field, find out the latest information from sales and ship management divisions, and see what their problems are. That will help you identify new challenges for us in the Technical Division. |
