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MOL Opens Safety Operation Supporting Center

February 07, 2007

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced the opening of its new Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC). This is part of an effort to reinforce the MOL Group's safe operation management structure, as set out in December 2006 with the goal of ensuring that MOL Group-operated vessels have the information they need to respond promptly and appropriately to anything that threatens the safety of vessel operation. These include the abnormal climatic conditions that have occurred so frequently in recent years and the threat of global terrorism.

The SOSC provides timely warnings and interactive communication to MOL Group vessels and other concerned parties to promote safe operation with around-the-clock weather monitoring.

Profile

Name

: Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC)
Location

: Ship Management Division of Tokyo Head Office, Toranomon, Tokyo
Response hours

: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Established

: February 1, 2007
Services

: SOSC activities to support the safe operation of MOL-operated vessels include the following:

  • Continually tracking vessel movement with periodic position polling using the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) satellite.
  • Observing hydrographic and atmospheric phenomena all over the world, based on risk assessment of these hydrographic and atmospheric phenomena by the Weathernews Inc.
  • Sending information related to safe operation (severe weather, tsunami, security risks, other navigation risks) to concerned parties (vessels, ship management companies, ship allocation companies)
  • Serving as a help desk for concerned parties and responding to emergency inquiries

In the future, the SOSC will continue to strengthen its capabilities and upgrade its systems to ensure smooth communication and cooperation among concerned parties and support fast, accurate decision making. The SOSC will play a vital role in promoting the safety of the MOL Group-operated fleet, which continues to expand.