MOL Introduces Japan’s Greatest Ferry & Coastal RoRo Ship Company

Japan’s shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has now decided to integrate two coastal RORO vessel and ferry operating majors, Ferry Sunflower Limited and MOL Ferry Co.

On 1 October this year, the firms are expected to be merged, with the MOL Ferry as the surviving firm. Owing to the merger, the new firm will be Japan’s biggest ferry and coastal RoRo firm, per MOL.

MOL is expected to establish a new “Headquarters of Wellbeing and Lifestyle Business” by April this year, bringing its ferry, real estate, cruise ship, coastal RoRo vessel, and other businesses.

The firm intends to achieve growth by integrating these two firms, which play a crucial role in the ferry business of MOL Group.

MOL is also aiming to meet changes in customer transportation demands and further enhance transport services by focusing on the management resources of the group firms, with its eye toward a more holistic, decarbonized society, digital transformation, and solutions for logistics.

Last month, MOL reportedly welcomed the first LNG-fuelled ferry in Japan. The ferry allegedly launched an operation on 13 January between the Osaka-Beppu route, connecting the Sunflower Ferry Terminal of the Osaka Prefecture and the Beppu International Tourist Port of the Oita Prefecture.

The ferry is going to be a replacement for the Sunflower Ivory ferry.

References: Offshore Energy Biz, Port News