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.

• Recycling Scheme for Special Lashing Belts Used in Car Carriers
• Approaches to Marine Environmental Protection
• Ship Recycling Issues
• Stepping up Initiatives on Marine Plastic Waste
• Ballast Water Issue
• Ballast Water
• Viable Organism Analyzer for Ballast Water
• Organisms on Vessels
• Participation in "Nippon Keidanren's Declaration of Biodiversity" as a Promotion Partner

Recycling of Lashing Belts Used in Car Carriers

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.

Approaches to Marine Environmental Protection

World-first to Adopt "NSafe®-HULL" to Ensure Superior Collision Safety

In a world-first, MOL adopted highly ductile steel plate NSafe®-HULL, developed by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, for a newbuilding vessel. NSafe®-HULL plates absorb side impact to the hull three times more effectively than conventional steel plates, thereby reducing the risk of cracks in the hull and significantly increasing the safety of the vessel. For the new vessel, use of NSafe®-HULL for the sections such as the side plates of cargo holds and fuel tanks, where hull strength is especially critical, will improve puncture resistance to help prevent flooding, protect cargo, and prevent serious oil leakage damage to the marine environment.

Processing of On-board Waste, Waste Oil, and Bilge

• On a vessel, which is also a home for seafarers, the same type of garbage as a household, plus various waste unique to ships, such as loading and packing materials, is generated. 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, and collects and disposes of it properly.

Ship Recycling Issues

• Responsible Procurement

Stepping up Initiatives on Marine Plastic Waste

'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.

Plastic Smart website

MOL to Cooperate in Marine Plastic Survey

MOL will cooperate in a scientific survey related to marine plastic pollution, hosted by the Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).
JAMSTEC will collect plastic waste in the waters on the course of the 2019-2020 Japan-Palau Goodwill Yacht Race" (organized by the Kanagawa Prefecture Sailing Federation, among others), which will be held as part of the 25th anniversary of Palau's independence and 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between Japan and Palau. It will analyze the results, and aims to contribute to scientific knowledge on the issue.
The racing yachts and accompanying ships will leave Yokohama on December 29, 2019, this year, setting their course for Palau, a straight-line distance of 1,726 nautical miles.

2019-2020 Japan-Palau Goodwill Yacht Race official website (Japanese only)

Ballast Water Issue

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

Ballast Water

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, IMO adopted the Ballast Water Management Convention in February 2004, and its ratification is under way. 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. We continue to accumulate expertise on ballast water treatment systems, based on the operation of these vessels.

Viable Organism Analyzer for Ballast Water

Satake Corporation and MOL Engineering Co., Ltd. jointly developed the portable "Ballast Water Sample Concentrator" to detect the presence of large-size organisms (minimum diameter ≧50μm) in ballast water samples, and MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. started sales of the equipment on May 15, 2019. The concentrator and the Satake's "Viable Organism Analyzer" are designed and sized to make them easy to carry onto vessels and immediately measure samples onboard. This makes it simple for anyone to measure the number of plankton in ballast water.

MOL began sampling of discharged ballast water and analysis of organisms using this equipment on vessels in service, and validated its performance while gaining additional knowledge and expertise in ballast water analysis and treatment.

Organisms on Vessels

Marine organisms attaching to the bottom of vessels due to the fouling of ship bottom paint and crossing borders is also an issue in the industry. The IMO is discussing guidelines to prevent this. MOL is expressing its views on practicality and other aspects through industry groups to contribute to the process of creating international guidelines.

Participation in "Nippon Keidanren's Declaration of Biodiversity" as a Promotion Partner

MOL supports and adheres to the Declaration of Biodiversity by the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), and participates as a "Promotion Partner" to clarify this commitment internally and publicly.

Nippon Keidanren's Declaration of Biodiversity (Summary)

• Appreciate nature's gifts and aim for corporate activities in harmony with the natural environment
• Act from a global perspective on the biodiversity crisis
• Act voluntarily and steadily to contribute to biodiversity
• Promote corporate management for sustainable resource use
• Create an industry, lifestyle and culture that will learn from biodiversity
• Collaborate with relevant international and national organizations
• Spearhead activities to build a society that will nurture biodiversity