MOL's Kansai Branch Relocates: Embracing 100 Years of History and Community Engagement

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Relocates Its Kansai Branch

On May 20, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), under the leadership of President Takeshi Hashimoto, held a grand opening ceremony for its relocated Kansai Branch, which has officially moved from the Nakanoshima Daibiru Building's 25th floor to the 4th floor of the historic Daibiru Main Building. This site holds significant historical value as it is where one of MOL's founding companies, Osaka Shosen, established its headquarters a century ago in 1925. Remarkably, MOL has returned to this same location just 100 years later.

Inside the New Kansai Branch

The new Kansai Branch has been thoughtfully designed to foster communication and collaboration, serving as a touch-down office for MOL employees while also welcoming visits from local businesses and governmental bodies. The revitalization of the office aims to enhance interaction and cultivate a productive environment.

The Kansai Branch carries on the legacy of Osaka Shosen, which has expressed its long-standing reverence for the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, known as “Sumiyossan” to locals. Since its establishment in 1884, Osaka Shosen has honored this sea god, serving as a permanent representative and housing a branch of the shrine within its headquarters. In this move, the Kansai Branch has taken over the shrine and has undergone restoration work conducted by Kongō Gumi, the world’s oldest corporation, founded over 1,400 years ago. The opening ceremony was graced by guests including Okayasu from the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Junichirō Ōtsuki, President of Kongō Gumi, as community officials joined to celebrate the branch's new beginning.

MOL's Commitment to the Kansai Region

MOL operates a range of services in the Kansai area, which not only includes real estate managed by Daibiru Corporation but also ferry services by MOL Ferry Sunflower. The company engages in logistics, port services, tugboat operations, maritime consulting, and trading within the same region. As part of its initiatives to deepen community engagement, MOL will showcase zero-emission vessels at the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo. Additionally, a hands-on museum called “Funeshiru” is scheduled to launch in Osaka on July 19.

MOL is committed to advancing its domestic regional strategy with three fundamental policies: enhancing existing operations, exploring new customer and business opportunities, and contributing to local communities. This move embodies not just a physical transition, but a reaffirmation of MOL's dedication to its roots and the communities it serves. As the Kansai Branch embarks on this new journey, it looks to not only strengthen its operations but also cement its role as a vital part of the region’s economic and cultural fabric.