– Recognizing Ongoing Contributions to Safe Operation and Developing the Next Generation –

MOL announced that the company held an online presentation ceremony for the “MOL Presidential Awards for Officers and Engineers 2020” on December 9.

The awards are intended to honor the ongoing safety-related contributions of MOL Group officers and engineers and recognize their key roles, in cooperation with fellow seafarers and ship management companies, in ensuring the safe operation of vessels. The recipients share a commitment to the education and training of younger seafarers, have an exemplary attitude in their onboard work, and have had years of success in ensuring the safety of the MOL Group fleet.

The ceremony had previously been held at the Tokyo Head Office with the award recipients and their families in attendance. This year, however, the impact of COVID-19 made it difficult to hold an in-person ceremony, so the event was held online to honor the award recipients and their families.

Awards went to 11 recipients—seven officers and engineers took part in this year’s online ceremony, while four others were working at sea. MOL President & CEO  expressed his gratitude for their contributions towards safe operation over many years and their achievements in instilling MOL values in the next generation of seafarers. Ikeda also delivered a message to family members of the award recipients, thanking them for their strong support and understanding even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become a driving force of crewmembers’ duties, adding that the awards honor not only the recipients themselves, but their families as well.

The ceremony has been held every year since 2008, and to date more than 100 dedicated mariners have received the awards. MOL strives to improve safety awareness and cultivate skilled seafarers by recognizing and giving prominence to role models such as the award recipients.

The award recipients delivering their speeches at the online ceremony