#London #United Kingdom #Maritime Industry #Mitsui O.S.K. Lines #Shipping Week

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines at London International Shipping Week 2025

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a prominent player in the global shipping network, recently participated in the prestigious London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2025, held from September 15 to 19 in London, UK. This event brought together leaders from the shipping, port, and logistics sectors to discuss the future of the industry. Held biannually, this marked the twelfth edition of LISW.

As a significant contributor to international shipping, MOL hosted a reception and participated in several sessions, with President Takeo Hashimoto actively engaging in discussions. Notably, MOL was the only Japanese shipping company to sponsor LISW 2025 and contributed to the official sessions organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Reception Highlights

On September 15, MOL organized a networking reception that attracted over 100 industry stakeholders, partners, and leaders. This event provided a valuable platform for strengthening relationships and exchanging ideas within the maritime community. During the reception, President Hashimoto and Executive Officer Suryan Wirya-Simunovic engaged in a dialogue about MOL's business developments in Europe and Africa, shedding light on areas of future focus for the group.

Key Sessions by President Hashimoto

Driving Prosperity in a Fragmenting World?

One of the highlights was President Hashimoto's involvement in a session titled "Driving prosperity in a fragmenting world?" within the LISW25 Headline Conference Programme, held on September 17 at the IMO headquarters. This official session sparked discussions about interdependence in global trade and geopolitical risks. Various challenges facing the shipping industry, such as regulation, security, digitalization, decarbonization, and crew well-being, were examined. President Hashimoto emphasized the significance of international cooperation and a rule-based order, stating that "unprecedented challenges also create business opportunities." He shared insights on the deployment of personnel to gather information at major political hubs to adapt to the changing trade environment. Moreover, he highlighted the necessity of enhancing on-board infrastructure to make the industry more attractive for seafarers.

A New Training Framework for Seafarers in Decarbonization

Another important session was facilitated by Lloyd’s Register on the same day, discussing a new training framework tailored for seafarers dealing with alternative fuels like ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. President Hashimoto participated in this session, underscoring the critical need for workforce development in the decarbonization drive. He delivered an opening speech where he introduced MOL's training facilities across the globe. During the panel discussion, he stated, "The widespread adoption of alternative fuel vessels requires globally unified standards for seafarer training. Under our group’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, we are expanding our training facilities and unique educational programs to cultivate talent suited for LNG, ammonia, and methanol vessels. We look forward to collaborating with the industry and authorities for a safe and sustainable future in shipping."

Strategic Goals and Future Endeavors

MOL is committed to enhancing its regional organizations in line with its management plan, "BLUE ACTION 2035." The London office oversees operations across Europe and Africa, and the learnings from this event will be leveraged to further advance MOL's initiatives in these regions. As the shipping industry faces new challenges and opportunities, MOL remains dedicated to innovative and sustainable practices, aiming to play a vital role in shaping the future of global shipping.