Leading international seafarers’ welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, has launched its second Adventure Race Japan, taking place in May 2025, with entries now open.

Kicking the event off in Tokyo at the end of Sea Japan, in Singapore at the end of Singapore Maritime Week, and finally in Hong Kong, more than 300 guests attended these exciting launch evenings for ARJ 2025.

Corporate supporters are already signing up, led by the news that Mitsui O.S.K Lines has agreed to increase its sponsorship from Gold in 2023 to Platinum in 2025. Swire Shipping and Swire Bulk, APM Terminals and Arrow Shipping, who took Gold in 2023, are once again repeating their generous sponsorship. They are joined this year by NorthStandard, who have increased from Silver to Gold. Other sponsors include UK P&I Club, Womar Shipping, Abo Shoten, Norstar Shipping, Ben Lines and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), plus many others.

Adventure Race Japan is an epic sporting and team building challenge, raising funds for seafarers’ welfare. The inaugural Adventure Race Japan took place last year, and was a huge success, generating over US$1.3 million, with US$950K going to support MtS’ vital frontline work. Sponsorship and team entries are now open for the 2025 event and organisations from across the global shipping industry are invited to take on the experience of a lifetime.

Building on last year’s event, ARJ 2025 will once again see teams take part in two days of trekking or running and other challenges. It is set in the beautiful mountain landscape and coastline of Japan’s Izu Peninsula, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty and designated UNESCO Geopark, with views of Mount Fuji.

Teams will consist of three competitors, who must start and finish the race together. MtS encourages participation from all ages, regardless of athletic ability. In 2023, participants ranged from 22 – 65 years old. There will be two levels of participation – hiking or running – giving competitors the option to choose the level that suits their fitness levels.

Just as importantly, ARJ offers an opportunity to develop business relationships against the background of mutual interest in seafarers’ welfare. This is also a great opportunity for team building – across teams, countries and job areas. With two days of running/hiking and three evening dinners, it presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage in networking whilst helping seafarers in need.

Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, commented on ARJ 2025:
“Adventure Race Japan 2023 was incredible. It showcased the overwhelming importance of crew well-being. It raised the profile of The Mission to Seafarers. It built a wealth of new partnerships. It raised an extraordinary amount of money to support our work at the frontline of maritime welfare. It facilitated superb networking. It was also huge fun. The sound of laughter and the sight of such happy faces, young and old, from across maritime lives with me still.”

“The challenges were testing, but suitable for a wide range of abilities, and left all feeling they had undertaken something truly worthwhile in a truly beautiful location. I was the oldest competitor. It was a struggle at times, but how good I felt at the end. The experience was fantastic, and it left an indelible mark on all who took part. Now we are looking to ARJ 2025, bigger and even better, we hope. We are excited and we hope you will join us. Don’t miss out!”

Takeshi Hashimoto, President & CEO, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., said: “Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is honoured to have the opportunity to support The Mission to Seafarers’ Adventure Race Japan 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor. Ensuring that the seafarers responsible for safe operation, which is the foundation of our business, can play active roles in the workplace is one of the MOL Group’s key initiatives in sustainability management. So, we agree with MtS’ philosophy of working to improve the welfare of seafarers around the world. I hope that all the race participants will enjoy the natural beauty of Japan.”

Masahiko Shirai, Managing Director, APM Terminals Japan, commented: “It is our pleasure to become a Gold Sponsor of Adventure Race Japan 2025 once again. ARJ 23 was an unforgettable, successful but challenging event and we really look forward to meeting all and having fun together in 2025.”

Patrick Morrison, Director and Global Head of Newbuilding, Arrow Shipbrokers, said: “Arrow Shipbrokers was very proud to be a Gold sponsor of last year’s inaugural ARJ. We sent five teams, and the feedback we received from all our participants was so positive that we immediately committed to being a Gold sponsor again for 2025. The work that MtS do for the well-being of the often unseen seafarer is invaluable, and we hope the ARJ25 will continue the success of ARJ23 and raise much-needed funds.”

James Moran, Chief Operating Officer/Head of P&I Claims – Asia Pacific, NorthStandard, said: “Seafarers are a vital part of our industry, and the Mission to Seafarers plays a vital role in supporting them and their families. NorthStandard has been established in Japan for over a decade and is delighted to be a Gold Sponsor of The Mission to Seafarers’ Adventure Race Japan 2025. Having supported and participated in the inaugural Adventure Race in 2023, we can say from experience that it was a fantastic challenge for our teams, but more than that, we are proud to have been part of this important cause, which raised US$1.3m to support the Mission’s work with seafarers around the world.”

Peter Norborg, CEO, Swire Bulk, commented: “As a second-time Gold Sponsor for the Mission to Seafarers’ 2025 Adventure Race Japan, Swire Bulk is committed to supporting our essential key workers. Working at sea and being away from loved ones is never easy, and that is when our seafarers need our support the most. We recognise the important role that MtS plays to bring help to seafarers and their families when needed, and we will continue to champion great causes that deliver warm support to our frontliners because every seafarer matters.”

Jeremy Sutton, CEO, Swire Shipping, said: “Swire Shipping is proud to return as a Gold Sponsor for the Mission to Seafarers’ 2025 Adventure Race Japan. This meaningful event embodies the spirit of teamwork and perseverance, mirroring the same qualities seafarers demonstrate every day. Seafarers play an essential role in the industry, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the support they deserve. Through our participation in this challenge, we stand with the Mission to Seafarers, raising awareness about the critical role seafarers play and securing funds to enhance their welfare initiatives.”

Adventure Race Japan was conceived as a way for the international shipping community to support the seafarers who keep our global economy afloat, raising awareness and funds for the Mission’s work as one of the largest providers of seafarers’ welfare support worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Our sponsors and participating organisations answered the call in 2023, with 64 teams from 19 different countries taking part, together raising a magnificent US$1.3m with US$950K going towards our frontline work. This supported several key areas of the Mission’s operations, including its ‘Emerging Port Strategy’, which takes a strategic approach to new and existing operations in Asia and globally. Other areas of ARJ funding included the creation of more green spaces for seafarers at seafarers’ centres, and the establishment of Key Welfare Hubs in Singapore and Rotterdam. The Mission to Seafarers’ successful Family Support Network in the Philippines and India also received support.