Top Page > Press Release 2009 > MOL Technology Research Center to Move - Breaks Ground on New Environment-Friendly Facility to Open in 2010

MOL Technology Research Center to Move
- Breaks Ground on New Environment-Friendly Facility to Open in 2010

May 20, 2009

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President; Akimitsu Ashida) today announced plans to move the MOL Technology Research Center from its current site in Nishikojiya, Ota Ward, Tokyo, to Aso Ward in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company today held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site in Kawasaki. MOL executives on hand for the event included Senior Managing Executive Officer Yoichi Aoki, Executive Officer Kenji Yokota, and others involved in the project. All the attendees prayed for a safe conclusion to the construction work.

The MOL Technology Research Center has taken a proactive approach to analyzing vessel fuel oils and lubricants, developing a fuel oil pretreatment device, research and development on CO2 reduction, and other R&D efforts to improve storage and transport technologies such as advanced reefer containers.

MOL decided to move the center to Micom City*1 at Kuriki in Kawasaki's Aso Ward because of the age of the current buildings and changes in the surrounding environment.

The new center will be an environment-friendly research facility using energy-saving technologies such as solar energy, natural lighting, and ice thermal storage system*2.

The center will conduct a range of productive research activities and function as a core of MOL Group R&D aimed at promoting environmental protection and reducing vessel operating costs.

[Outline of new technology research center]

Address:
2-2-8, Kuriki, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Total floor area:
1,057m2
Buildings:
Reinforced concrete (RC) construction, steel-frame (S) construction
An office and analysis building/2 stories above ground
A laboratory/1 story above ground
Completion of construction: February 2010 (plan)

*1 Micom City is being developed by Kawasaki City to attract research and development institutes that will fuel future economic growth. The goal is to foster a new industrial infrastructure and create new jobs.

*2 Using electricity to make ice at night, when demand for power is low, and melting the ice for air conditioning.