| 1877 |
Started overseas transportation of Miike coal using the iron steamship "Hiyoshimaru" (between Kuchinotsu and Shanghai). |
| 1883 |
Establishment of Osaka Shosen. |
| 1912 |
Completion of the largest cargo-passenger ship "Benimaru" on the Seto Inland Sea route connecting Hanshin and Kyushu. |
| 1930 |
Built the high-speed cargo ship "Kinei Maru" and started the New York express service. It traversed between Yokohama and New York in 25 days and 17 hours 30 minutes. |
| 1930 |
Built the high-speed cargo ship "Kinoe Maru" and started the New York express service. Traversed between Yokohama and New York in 25 days and 17 hours 30 minutes. Significantly shortened the previous record of 35 days. |
| 1939 |
Constructed "Arusenchina Maru" and "Brazil Maru". These are representative passenger ships built with the pinnacle of Japanese shipbuilding technology at the time, and they were deployed on South American routes. |
| 1942 |
Mitsui Bussan spun off its shipping division and established Mitsui Shipbuilding. |
| 1942 |
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines separated the shipping division and established Mitsui Shipbuilding. Mitsui Shipbuilding's headquarters was located in the Mitsui Main Building (Tokyo, Nihonbashi) at the time. |
| 1961 |
The world’s first automated ship "Kinkazan Maru" was launched, with main engine operation from the bridge and monitoring and control of the engine room from the engine control room. |
| 1961 |
Launched the world's first automated ship "Kinkazan Maru," with the main engine operated from the bridge and the monitoring and control of the engine room from the engine control room. Automation reduced the crew from 52 to 38. The "Kinkazan Maru" bridge control console was registered as the first "Ship Heritage." |
| 1962 |
Launched the first automated tanker "Oreon Maru". |
| 1964 |
Japan’s shipping industry consolidated into six companies. Osaka Shosen and Mitsui Shipbuilding merged into Osaka Shosen Mitsui Shipbuilding, Nitto Shosen and Daito Kaiun became Japan Line, and Yamashita Kisen and Shin Nihon Kisen became Yamashita Shin Nihon Kisen. |
| 1965 |
Japan’s first car-only ship "Ohi Maru" was launched. |
| 1968 |
Osaka Shosen Mitsui Shipbuilding, Japan Line, and Yamashita Shin Nihon Kisen each launched full-container ships "America Maru," "Japan Ace," and "California Maru" on the Japan/California route. |
| 1983 |
Japan’s first methanol-only ship "Kozan Maru" was launched. |
| 1984 |
LNG ship "Senshu Maru" was launched. |
| 1989 |
NaviX Line was established through the merger of Japan Line and Yamashita Shin Nihon Kisen. It marked the beginning of the leisure cruise era, and Japan’s first full-scale cruise foreign passenger ship "Fujimaru" was launched. |
| 1990 |
Foreign passenger ship "Nippon Maru" was launched. |
| 1993 |
A crew training school was established in Manila, Philippines. |
| 1993 |
Established a ship crew training school in Manila, Philippines. MOL Training Center (Philippines). |
| 1995 |
Started container ship service through the strategic international alliance The Global Alliance (TGA). |
| 1996 |
Made Tokyo Marine (current name: MOL Chemical Tankers Pte. Ltd.), a chemical tanker company, a consolidated subsidiary. |
| 1999 |
Merged Osaka Shosen Mitsui Shipbuilding and NaviX Line to establish Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. |
| 1999 |
Merged Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Navix Line. Established Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines headquarters building (Tokyo, Toranomon). |
| 2003 |
The headquarters and our operated ships obtained ISO 14001 certification. |
| 2004 |
Made DAI Building a consolidated subsidiary. |
| 2007 |
Established the logo mark of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines group. Set up the Safety Navigation Support Center at the headquarters. Launched the world's largest iron ore ship "BRASIL MARU". |
| 2007 |
Established the logo mark of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines group. Set up the Safety Operations Support Center at the headquarters. The world's largest iron ore carrier "BRASIL MARU" in service. |
| 2009 |
Announced the next-generation ship concept "Ship Renovation" project. |
| 2009 |
Announced the next-generation ship concept "Ship Renovation" project. (Upper) ISHIN-I / (Middle) ISHIN-II / (Lower) ISHIN-III. |
| 2010 |
New "Technology Research Institute" opened. Participated in FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) project. |
| 2012 |
Hybrid auto ship "EMERALD ACE" in service. |
| 2014 |
130th anniversary of founding. |
| 2015 |
The state-of-the-art fully automated container terminal Rotterdam WorldGateway opened. The first ship "PAPUA" of the Chinese-built LNG project by an overseas shipping company in service. |
| 2016 |
"Ship Renovation NEXT ~ MOL SMART SHIP PROJECT ~" launched. LNG ships "TARANAKI SUN," "MANCHAC SUN," and "CAJUN SUN" equipped with engines capable of dual fuel of methanol and heavy oil. The world's first large-scale ethane carrier "ETHANE CRYSTAL" in service. |
| 2017 |
One of the world's largest container ships "MOL TRIUMPH" in service. The world's largest FSRU "MOL FSRU CHALLENGER" completed (Floating LNG storage and regasification facility). |
| 2018 |
Operational start of the integrated container shipping company Ocean Network Express. Completion of next-generation auto ship FLEXIE series "BELUGA ACE." The world's largest 20,000 TEU container ship "MOL TRUTH" received the Ship of the Year 2017 award. Established "MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy inc." in the Philippines for self-operated shipping university. |
| 2018 |
The container ship business integration company Ocean Network Express has started operations. The next-generation auto ship FLEXIE series "BELUGA ACE" has been completed. The world's largest 20,000 TEU container ship "MOL TRUTH" received the Ship of the Year 2017 award. Our ice-breaking LNG ships transport from the Yamal Peninsula in Russia around the Arctic Ocean (via the Bering Strait) to Asia. We opened the MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy inc., a self-operated shipping university, in the Philippines. |
| 2019 |
LNG fuel tugboat "Ishin" completed. Launch of the world's first LNG-powered power generation ship under the unified brand KARMOL. |
| 2020 |
Started operating customer information platform "Lighthouse." Completed the world's largest LNG-fueled supply ship "GAS AGILITY." |
| 2021 |
Revised corporate philosophy, vision, and code of conduct (Mission/Vision/Value). Announced Environmental Vision 2.1, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. |
| 2021 |
Revised corporate philosophy, vision, and code of conduct (Mission/Vision/Value). |
| 2021 |
Announced Environment Vision 2.1, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. |
| 2022 |
Construction of Asia's first new SOV (Service Operation Vessel) "TSS PIONEER." Completion of the world's first wind challenger (rigid wing sail type wind propulsion device) equipped bulk carrier "Matsukaze Maru." |
| 2022 |
Completed the construction of Asia's first new SOV (Service Operation Vessel) "TSS PIONEER." |
| 2022 |
Completed the world's first wind challenger (rigid wing sail type wind propulsion device) equipped bulk carrier "Matsukaze Maru." |
| 2023 |
Japan's first LNG fuel ferry "Sanfurawa Kurenai/Murasaki" with high-performance dual fuel engines, improving transportation capacity and convenience for cargo and passengers, in service on Osaka-Beppu route. The world's first large-scale LNG-fueled coal carrier "REIMEI" transporting coal from overseas for domestic power companies' coal-fired power plants completed. Started operation of three CTV (Crew Transfer Vessels) for offshore wind power facilities. Formulated the group management plan "BLUE ACTION 2035," and began initiatives based on long-term strategies at a new stage. |
| 2023 |
Japan's first LNG fuel ferry "Sunflower Crimson/Murasaki," equipped with high-performance Dual Fuel engines, which improved transportation capacity and convenience for cargo and passenger transport, has been launched on the Osaka-Bepu route. |
| 2023 |
The world's first large LNG-fueled coal carrier "REIMEI," transporting coal from overseas to domestic coal-fired power plants, has been completed. |
| 2023 |
Started operation of three CTVs (Crew Transfer Vessels) for offshore wind power generation facilities. |
| 2023 |
Formulated the group management plan "BLUE ACTION 2035" and began initiatives based on long-term strategies at a new stage. |
| 2024 |
LNG-fueled automobile-only ship BLUE series' first vessel "CERULEAN ACE" completed. 140th anniversary of founding. Aiming to realize the desired future by FY2035 based on the management plan. The Safety Operations Support Center (SOSC) was renewed. Using a large video wall system to display necessary safety operation information on a large screen simultaneously. The international passenger ship "MITSUI OCEAN FUJI" in service. The cruise fleet of the group consists of two ships, including "Nippon Maru." |
| 2024 |
The first LNG-fueled auto ship in the BLUE series, "CERULEAN ACE," has been completed. |
| 2024 |
Celebrating 140 years since founding. Aiming to realize the ideal state toward 2035 based on the management plan. |
| 2024 |
The Safety Operations Support Center (SOSC) has been renewed. It uses a large video wall system to display a large number of safety-related information simultaneously on a big screen. |
| 2024 |
The overseas passenger ship "MITSUI OCEAN FUJI" has been launched. Our group now operates two cruise ships, including "Nippon Maru." |
| 2025 |
The LNG-fueled ferry "Sunflower Kamui" on the Oarai-Tomakomai route has been launched for the first time. |
| 2025 |
Completed acquisition of shares in tank terminal company LBC Tank Terminals. |
| 2025 |
Opened the "Fune Shiru" ship museum at the Asia-Pacific Trade Center in Suminoe-ku, Osaka. |
| 2025 |
Participated as a bronze partner in the Japan International Expo (Osaka-Kansai Expo), and conducted an experiential exhibition centered on "Wind Hunter" with the concept of "WIND VISION" at the "Future City" pavilion. The event attracted 1.65 million visitors throughout the period. |
