#Japan #Digital Transformation #Tokyo #Mitsui O.S.K. Lines #LTS

LTS and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines: A Journey to Digital Transformation

In a remarkable achievement, the collaboration between LTS (株式会社エル・ティー・エス) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (商船三井) has earned recognition through the Business Analysis Award for 2025 by IIBA Japan. This accolade highlights their exceptional project aimed at improving business processes using digital technologies and Business Process Management (BPM) techniques. The award ceremony took place on February 4 in Tokyo, celebrating the innovative spirit and dedication to excellence shared by both organizations.

About the Project

The project, titled "Creating a Standard Operating Manual for Operational Process Visualization and Improvement," ran from November 2024 to August 2025. Expert advisors from LTS, including Junichi Inoue and team members Kazuki Hoshino, Chiaki Hidaka, and Riko Igarashi, were instrumental in steering this initiative. The central focus was to harness digital tools to standardize and automate operations in a manner that optimizes business processes across the entire Mitsui O.S.K. Lines group.

Award-Winning Strategy

IIBA recognized this initiative for its innovative application of BA methodologies and tools in integrating international business processes. The incorporation of process management tools, which are infrequently published in Japan, was noted as particularly promising for future developments. The project underpinned a transformative approach within the company and served as a benchmark for similar endeavors.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ Digital Transformation Co-Creation Unit (DXCU) led the way in crafting the "Mitsui O.S.K. Lines DX Vision," as part of their larger strategic goal to become a leading provider leveraging digital solutions to address societal challenges by 2035. This endeavor involved extensive collaboration with subsidiaries like Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Dry Bulk (MOLDB) and MOL Enterprise (Philippines) Inc., focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Process Visualization and Standardization

Initially, operational processes varied between the Tokyo office (MOLDB) and Manila office (MOLEP). The LTS team used digital tools for data collection and analysis to bridge these discrepancies. The result was the creation of a uniform operational process codified into a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), accessible and managed through a centralized digital platform. This digital foundation continues to support overall process control and the application of IT throughout Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

The successful establishment of this operational manual has led to significant outcomes, including:

• - Digitization of operational knowledge as a valuable asset
• - Reduced training time for new employees
• - Enhanced quality of operations
• - A robust framework for continuous improvement through digital technologies

Following the project's conclusion, the DXCU, MOLDB, and MOLEP are now equipped to discover further enhancement opportunities. This includes initiatives like the adoption of RPAs and generative AI to facilitate their ongoing digital transformation.

Insights from Leadership

Yuki Watanabe of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines commented on the effort, emphasizing the challenges of visualizing operations within a singular framework due to the individuality of each employee’s approach to their work. He acknowledged the valuable support from LTS as they navigated through the complexities of process standardization and acceptance within the organization.

Junichi Inoue from LTS expressed gratitude for being chosen as a partner, underlining their commitment to providing not just guidelines, but a strong foundation for continuous operational improvement. The collaborative method adopted in crafting this framework has proven beneficial, and the recent BA Award reinforces their efforts as being well-founded.

Reflecting on the completed journey, both leaders view the project as just the beginning of a larger voyage toward operational excellence, digital integration, and continuous transformation within Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

Conclusion

As we look ahead, the achievements celebrated by LTS and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. With ambitious goals set for 2035, both organizations exhibit a strong commitment to leveraging digital evolution to drive efficiency and excellence.