Preservation of marine environments / Protection of biodiversity
The MOL Group recognizes the impact its business activities can have on the ecosystem and is working to mitigate any harm these may cause to the marine environment and biodiversity, which is not only the place of our business but also the shared heritage of future generations on Earth. In addition to complying with environmental regulations such as the prevention of marine accidents through safe operation and appropriate ballast water and biofouling management, we are also taking voluntary measures to reduce any adverse effects our activities may have.
- Examples of our efforts
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- Ballast Water Management
- Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling
- Preservation of marine environments
- Collection of Microplastic and Marine Debris, Cooperation in Marine Plastic Survey
- Reduction of adverse effects on marine organisms
- Marine Biodiversity Big Data Project 'Ocean180'
- Effort for Recycling
- Initiatives for ship recycling
- MOL Supports Initiatives on Marin environment and Biodiversity
Examples of our efforts
Ballast Water Management
Ballast water, which is discharged while loading cargo, carries marine organisms around the world and can have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Accordingly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Ballast Water Management Convention in 2004. As the requirements for its ratification were satisfied in September 2016, the convention is slated to go into effect in September 2017.
Transfer of Aquatic Organism via Ballast Water
MOL developed a ballast water treatment system in cooperation with manufacturers. As of May 2021, we had installed the system on a total of 215 ships.
Accumulated total of installation and progress rate of installation plan (MOL owned vessel)
Control and Management of Ships' Biofouling
The transfer of invasive aquatic by ships has been identified as a major threat to biodiversity. The Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species was adopted by IMO in 2011, and discussions for a revision are currently underway. We are contributing to the discussions by expressing opinions from the perspective of practicality through industry groups.
Preservation of Marine Environments
- The double-hull structure is required for fuel tanks and tankers by international laws.The MOL group complies with the relevant treaties and laws.
- On a vessel, which is also a home for seafarers, the same type of garbage is generated as with land-based households, in addition to various waste products unique to ships such as loading and packing materials. On our operated vessels, based on the MARPOL Convention, we draw up on-board waste management plans requiring separation, collection, storage and disposal of on-board waste. Waste management officers supervise this process, and work to build thorough awareness of the plan among officers and crew members. Food waste and other biodegradable trash are ground into small particles and disposed of in specified areas of the open sea, and plastic waste is disposed of appropriately on land.
- Fuel oil for vessels contains many impurities. Water and other contaminants are extracted by pre- treatment before the fuel is used in engines and other equipment. Waste oil containing water and impurities from pre-treatment is heated in a special tank to remove water and then incinerated in conformity with environmental regulations.
- In a vessel's engine room, bilge water (waste water containing oil) is generated by leakage from seawater pipes and equipment and during maintenance work. We have introduced a bilge source separation system that categorizes bilge water in three stages according to the presence of oil, which is then collected and disposed of properly.
Collection of Microplastic and Marine Debris, Cooperation in Marine Plastic Survey
We have installed a microplastic collection device, which is under joint development by MOL and Miura Co., Ltd, and carried out microplastic collection demonstration test in October. Since then, it has been installed on five vessels. In Southeast Asia and other regions where the problem of marine debris is becoming increasingly severe year by year, we are conducting surveys to establish a locally tailored marine debris collection system using marine debris collection ships. Also, in the 2019-2020 Japan-Palau Goodwill Yacht Race, we cooperated with the Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) in an ocean plastics observation project.
Press Releases
- MOL & Miura to Conduct Demonstration Test with Microplastic Collection Device Installed on Newbuilding Wood Chip Carrier
- Microplastic Collection Device to be Installed on Marusumi Paper's Newbuilding Wood Chip Carrier
- MOL Survey on Establishment of a Marine Debris Collection System by Marine Debris Collection Ships Selected for JICA Assistance Program
- MOL to Cooperate in JAMSTEC Marine Plastic Survey
2019-2020 Japan-Palau Goodwill Yacht Race official website (Japanese only)
Reduction of adverse effects on marine organisms
It has become known through research by experts that the sound generated by ships in the water has an adverse effect on the living environment of marine organisms such as whales and dolphins. The impact of noise is currently the subject of discussions at the International Maritime Organization and other organizations. It has been confirmed in aquarium experiments that the PBCFs(*) help reduce underwater noise by eliminating the hub vortices. The Port of Vancouver in Canada, which is making efforts to protect the environment of its harbors, has listed PBCFs as an underwater noise reduction device in its environmental program "Eco Action Program";. The Port of Prince Rupert, Canada, has also certified the PBCFs as an underwater noise reduction technology.
(*) PBCF (Propeller Boss Cap Fins), an energy-saving device sold by MOL's group company, MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
Related page:
Marine Biodiversity Big Data Project 'Ocean180'
MOL participates in an industry-academia-government collaborative project to conserve marine biodiversity called "Ocean180," led by Professor Yasuhiro Kubota of the Biology Program, Marine and Natural Science Dept. in the Faculty of Science at　the University of the Ryukyus. This is a long-term project to protect marine biodiversity which will visualize ocean ecosystems based on big data related to marine life, statistical modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI). The name "Ocean180" reflects the wish for a reversal of deteriorating conditions in the world's oceans and a move toward improvement. The project will promote effective actions to conserve and regenerate the oceans based on big data analysis of biodiversity.
Press Releases
Ocean180 official site(Japanese only)
Effort for Recycling
In 2015, MOL developed a unique program to recycle used "lashing belts," which hold vehicles in place aboard car carriers. A recycling company in Oita Prefecture separates the belts into plastic and metal parts. The plastic is used as secondary fuel, and the metal is turned into scrap that can be reused. In addition to thorough green procurement and recycling at our offices, we also use in-house communication tools to raise employee awareness of environmental conservation.
Initiatives for ship recycling
MOL Supports Initiatives on Marin environment and Biodiversity
Participation in the "30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity"
MOL and an MOL's group company, Daibiru Corporation joined the "30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity", established by 17 industry, private, and government organizations including the Ministry of the Environment.
Ministry of the Environment 30by30 website(Japanese only)
The Daibiru Group is engaged in creating environmentally friendly towns full of greenery in order to contribute to sustainable development of society. To coexist with the natural environment, the Company has actively worked to protect the environment by creating eco-friendly green zones on building premises, including the Shin-Daibiru Building Dojima-no-mori.
Shin-Daibiru Building Dojima-no-mori
Press Releases
Daibiru new release, Participation in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity
'Plastic Smart' Forum
MOL participates in "Plastic Smart" initiatives which hosted by Ministry of the Environment of Japan to address the issue of the marine plastic waste problem as an action to protect the marine environment.
Marine plastic waste, which is generated in bulk on a daily basis all over the world, remains in the ocean for a long period of time and is regarded as a global-scale environmental pollution issue.
The "Plastic Smart" initiative is a platform among the companies and organizations that are interested in reducing marine plastic waste.
