A Collaborative Approach to Developing and Refining a Resilient Safety Regime for Vessel Operations

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that on January 30, it conducted a joint public-private anti-piracy exercise aboard the LNG carrier ‘Energy Advance‘ while it was underway off Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, in collaboration with public authorities including the Japan Coast Guard and the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The exercise simulated a scenario in which the MOL-operated LNG carrier was pursued and approached by a suspected pirate vessel, enabling the company to practice emergency communication procedures and other responses to threats at sea.
Upon receiving the initial report from the vessel, the ship management company and our Safety Operation Support Center (SOSC, Note) activated an emergency communication network linked with relevant domestic and international authorities. Through close coordination with Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel ‘Akitsushima‘, we confirmed the effectiveness of our integrated public-private crisis management system.

MOL has continuously conducted joint exercises with public authorities, striving to strengthen cooperative frameworks and enhance immediate response capabilities even in peacetime.

 ‘Akitsushima‘ as seen from ‘ENERGY ADVANCE‘
(Provided by Japan Coast Guard)

Exercise Participants

• Japan Coast Guard International Criminal Affairs Division, Japan Coast Guard Patrol Vessel ‘Akitsushima‘
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Maritime Bureau, International Shipping Division
• Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Center (ReCAAP-ISC)
• MOL Global Ship Management Pte. Ltd. (MOL Group ship management company)
• LNG Carrier Energy Advance (Operated by MOL; Shipowners: Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd. and Toho LNG Shipping Co., Ltd.)
• MOL Headquarters of Safety Operations, Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC, )