Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that it participated in the Commemorative Event for Marine Day 2025, held on Monday, 21 July. The event was organised in cooperation with the Headquarters for Ocean Policy, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and The Nippon Foundation, and marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Marine Day.

As part of the event, MOL hosted a tour of the CELESTE ACE, the third vessel in its BLUE series of LNG-fuelled car carriers (Note 1). Approximately 600 elementary, junior high, and high school students, along with their families—selected from thousands of applicants—took part in the tour. Visitors boarded the 200-metre-long CELESTE ACE, where they explored the bridge (the ship’s control room) and crew quarters. Seafarers shared insights into ship operations and the shipping industry, and guests observed a live demonstration of vehicles being loaded into the cargo hold.

In addition, many children experienced operating a ship-handling simulator at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, viewed exhibits about Funeshiru (Note 2), MOL’s new museum featuring hands-on, interactive displays which opened on 19 July, and took part in quizzes and games. The young participants asked numerous questions during a talk show featuring navigators and engineers, and also engaged with an exhibition of shipping-themed newspapers presented by MOL Ambassadors (Note 3), all of which contributed to a deeper understanding of ships and maritime operations.

Around 250 MOL Group employees supported the day as guides for the vessel tour and exhibition at the terminal. Feedback from children included:

“I was amazed by how big the vessel was.”
“It was very educational to learn about ships in a fun way—things we don’t usually get to hear about.”
“I was impressed by how neatly the cars were arranged during the loading operation.”

The event was also a source of great pride and joy for the MOL employees who supported the operation.

The MOL Group names its social contribution activities “BLUE ACTION for ALL”, and aims to realise a sustainable society by engaging in activities beyond its core business, in addition to its ongoing contributions through maritime transport. This name incorporates MOL’s broader BLUE ACTION sustainability initiative and reflects the Group’s commitment to engaging in socially impactful efforts “for ALL”, with respect for all life and environments on Earth.

The MOL Group has designated the period from Marine Day, 21 July, through to 9 October as the “BLUE ACTION for ALL Campaign”. During this time, the entire MOL Group—across Japan and internationally—will unite in social contribution efforts. The campaign aims to foster stronger connections between people and the vessels and oceans that support their daily lives, while raising awareness of the shipping industry among children and the wider public.

(Note 1) The CELESTE ACE, delivered in September 2024, is the third vessel in the BLUE series of LNG-fueled car carriers (eight of the 11 Japan-built vessels are currently in service). Since launching its first car carrier in 1965, MOL has been a pioneer in the ocean transport of automobiles. The company is committed to reliably meeting diverse and evolving needs and offers safe and stable transport services with a fleet of about 100 ships.

(Note 2) The MOL Museum “Funeshiru”, featuring hands-on and interactive displays, opened at the Asia and Pacific Trade Center (ATC). This museum offers a fun way to learn about the scale of ocean shipping, the role of ships, jobs in ocean shipping, and the future of the shipping industry through ship handling simulators and exhibitions. It also features a café and gift shop.

(Note 3) MOL Ambassadors are students who learn about the importance of protecting the oceans and the appeal of the shipping industry and play a role in communicating what they learn to their peers who will shape the future. Currently, 10 elementary, junior high, and high school students have been appointed as MOL Ambassadors and are actively engaged in their roles.