Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba delivers a speech at World Ocean Summit & Expo

March 21, 2025

Panel discussion on “Increasing the momentum for zero-emissions shipping” (from left) Panelist Yu Aonuma, Chief executive, JPNH2YDRO, part of CMB.TECH, MOL Chief Sustainability Officer Tatsuro Watanabe, Johannah Christensen, Chief executive, Global Maritime Forum, Allyson Browne, Chief executive, High Ambition Climate Collective, Moderator Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chief, The Economist credit:MOL

MOL participation raises group’s profile on international stage

Demonstrating Presence of a Japanese Company Involved with the Ocean to Address Marine Environmental Issues

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that it participated as a Diamond Sponsor in the World Ocean Summit & Expo hosted by Economist Impact which was held in Japan for the first time on March 12-13. MOL Chief Sustainability Officer Tatsuro Watanabe and Environmental & Sustainability Strategy Division General Manager Koichiro Ninomiya, participated in a panel discussion during the event.

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Prime Minister Ishiba delivers a speech
(Source: Prime Minister’s Office website: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/)

Government officials, international organizations, and other stakeholders from around the world involved with the oceans gathered in the event and under the theme of the summit: “Healthy seas, sustainable growth.” They held lively discussions about the transition to a sustainable marine economy, marine management, strategies to restore a healthy marine environment, advances in maritime technology, collaborative efforts to fight marine pollution.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also spoke at the event, saying, “Japan will take greater responsibility for the safety, peace, and use of the ocean’s resources, including the preservation of the marine environment.”

By participating in the event, MOL demonstrated its stance and presence as a Japanese company involved with the ocean through sponsorship of this summit, which drew participants from around the world.

During a panel discussion on decarbonizing the shipping industry, Watanabe said that MOL is committed to leading the shipping industry in reducing GHG emissions. “As a first mover, MOL is switching to clean fuels, but the additional cost burden is a major challenge. Decarbonizing international shipping cannot be achieved by one company alone, so we believe it is important to establish a system to share the burden with society as a whole. It is important for the industry as a whole to work together to communicate that ocean shipping is a necessary business for human activities and to foster understanding among all of you.”

Ninomiya also spoke at a session on private sector risks and opportunities related to the marine environment. “As a responsible company and a leader in the shipping industry, we will continue our efforts to protect the marine environment along with companies, NGOs, research institutions, and others. We hope to discuss and cooperate with related parties to see if it is possible to change the system so that a price can be placed on the ocean’s nature and environment, such as with carbon pricing, raising the importance of collaboration across industries and countries.

Panel discussion on “Ocean transition risks and opportunities”
(From left) Moderator Daniel Franklin, U.S. executive editor and senior editor, The Economist, panelist Suzanne Johnson, senior adviser, UN Global Compact Ocean

Stewardship Coalition, MOL GM Koichiro Ninomiya, Alfredo Giron, head, Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action, World Economic Forum

MOL Booth MOL Secretariat members
with Economist Impact Editorial Director Charles Goddard

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MOL has established the MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2 and is promoting environmentally friendly initiatives in line with five strategies, including the adoption of clean alternative fuels. It aims to ensure a prosperous future from the blue ocean by contributing to the sustainable development of people, society, and the Earth for all life in generations to come.