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MOL Helps Deploy "Argo float", Ocean Observation Instrument, to Combat Climate Change
May 30, 2025
TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that three units of ocean observation instruments called "Argo floats",(Note 1), which will be used to monitor changes in ocean environment and global climate, were deployed off the coast of Chile in May 2025 from the wood chip carrier Vanguardia (Shipowner: Meiji Shipping Co., Ltd.), operated by MOL Drybulk Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Toshiaki Fukui; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), for Daio Paper Corporation.
Deploying Argo floats
The Argo float supports the "Argo Program" (Note 2), an international project involving more than 25 countries and regions which aim to establish an observation system for real-time monitoring of oceanic temperature and salinity variability that affects climate change, in cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other organizations. One Argo float per approximately 300 km square, with approximately 4,000 Argo floats worldwide, is in operation at any given time. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency take the lead in deploying about 100 Argo floats each year in waters around Japan. In order to continue this global monitoring over a long period of time, efforts must be made to constantly fill the observation blank area of the Argo floats, and the cooperation of not only the observation vessels of the participating national research institutes, but also other organizations, private and non-profit organizations, is essential. The management team of the International Argo Program believes that float deployment with the support of these companies and organizations will become increasingly important for the Argo Program.
MOL will continue to cooperate in the deployment of Argo floats by using MOL Group vessels plying between various shipping routes. In addition to the operation of the Arctic research vessel "Mirai II" under construction by JAMSTEC, which MOL has been selected to operate (Note 3), the group will not only monitor ocean environment and climate changes, but also preserve the marine environment, protect biodiversity, and prevent air pollution through concerted efforts.
(Note 1) an Argo float is a small ocean observing instrument measuring approximately 2 m in length and weighing about 20 kg. It is installed with various functions, such as mechanisms for floating and sinking, sensors, and communication mechanism in the unit. Once the float is deployed, the computer and batteries in the main unit will automatically perform observations for over four years.
(Note 3) MOL press releases and information related to Arctic research vessels:
- As of August 10, 2023
Press release: JAMSTEC Picks MOL Group Companies for Key Roles in Arctic Research Vessel Development and Operation
Information: Call for Ship Names for Arctic Research Vessel -Now accepting applications on a dedicated website-
- As of February 22, 2024,
Information: JAMSTEC Arctic Research Vessel to be Operated by MOL Named 'Mirai II'
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 "Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-".
