MOL PLUS was established as a corporate venture capital (CVC) leveraging Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' access to shipping, logistics, and marine businesses. In the first part we interviewed Mr. Sakamoto, the representative, about its origins and strengths. In this second part, we will introduce four representative initiatives currently being promoted through business partnerships.
■Advanced Technology "Doppler Lidar" Brings the Future of Shipping
The Doppler Lidar is a device that uses lasers to measure wind flow and speed. By analyzing the frequency changes of scattered light reflected back from fine particles in the atmosphere (the doppler effect) when infrared laser light is emitted, detailed data on wind direction and speed can be obtained in real-time. It is particularly excellent at capturing invisible turbulence and wind changes, and is used in a wide range of fields such as aviation and meteorological observations.
In recent years, as weather conditions at sea have become increasingly erratic due to climate change, the safety and efficiency of ship operations have been placed in greater jeopardy. This initiative to utilize Doppler Lidar as a new navigation guide is being promoted through a collaboration between MOL and Metro Weather Co. Ltd.
The newly developed Doppler Lidar by Metro Weather Co. Ltd. is equipped with an inertial navigation device that measures wind conditions while correcting its position, enabling real-time motion correction. This allows wind condition measurements even in environments where position changes due to motion or movement occur, such as on ships. Wind condition measurements by Doppler Lidar on navigating ships is characterized by directly measuring and visualizing the wind occurring around the navigation area. It enables more accurate predictions than the commonly used satellite data wind condition forecasts. Furthermore, Metro Weather Co. Ltd.'s Doppler Lidar is small but capable of long-distance measurements, making it easy to install on ships.
■Successful Demonstration Experiment on Large Ships
MOL and Metro Weather Co. Ltd. have been working on joint research and conducted the first demonstration experiment in 2021, successfully measuring wind direction and speed from ships in Omura Bay. In 2024, they started a practical experiment by installing Doppler Lidar on the RORO ship "Musashi Maru" on the Tokyo-Fukuoka route. This is the world's first attempt to install Doppler Lidar on large ships navigating at sea. It observes and visualizes wind conditions several kilometers away from "Musashi Maru" in three dimensions in real-time. At the same time, it transmits the obtained big data to land through the high-speed data communication system "Starlink". The aim is to use it as an aid to fuel reduction and safe navigation on board.
This initiative is expected to have wide applications in supporting the optimal navigation of Green Hydrogen Production and Supply Ships, which manufactures, stores, and transports hydrogen using offshore wind power, and in wind energy-related businesses such as the Wind Hunter Project.
■Strengthening Ship Fire Measures with AI Technology
Captain's Eye is an Israeli startup that develops real-time camera monitoring systems inside ships using AI. By utilizing proprietary AI algorithms and extensive learning data, it enables early detection of abnormalities inside ships, such as oil leaks in the engine room and crew members entering prohibited areas. Their solution is being introduced to a wide range of ship types, including container ships, tankers, car carriers, and dry bulk ships.
MOL has realized an early detection system for EV fires by adopting the Captain's Eye system in car carrier cargo holds. The smoke detection system developed by the company can quickly and accurately capture the occurrence of fine smoke by AI analyzing camera images in real-time. This allows an early initial fire response before the fire spreads inside the ship, significantly improving safety compared to conventional fire alarm systems. Additionally, this system can send alerts not only to the crew but also to land-based managers, enabling quicker and more accurate responses.
■World's First Certification for Voluntary Ship Fire Measures
The LNG-fueled car carrier "CERULEAN ACE" operated by MOL has obtained the "AFVC (Additional Fire-Fighting measures for Vehicle Carrier)" certification from ClassNK. This certification meets three regulations in the EV Safety Transport Guidelines: "early fire detection," "fire extinguishing," and "improving the reliability of fixed fire extinguishing systems." Of these, the introduction of the Captain's Eye advanced AI smoke recognition system in the cargo hold was recognized as effective for early fire detection, leading to the certification. This is the world's first case where a shipping company obtained AFVC certification through voluntary fire measures.
MOL will continue to strengthen their collaboration with the Captain's Eye and continue to improve the safety quality of maritime transportation by jointly developing new monitoring functions.
■Long-Life, High-Safety Storage Technology "Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB)"
VFlowTech Pte Ltd. is a Singaporean startup that develops and manufactures Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB). VRFB is a next-generation storage battery technology that combines long life, high safety, and scalability. Unlike conventional storage batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, the VRFB electrolyte is less prone to deterioration, allowing it to boast a long life of over 20 years, and is non-flammable, making the risk of fires extremely low. Additionally, by simply adjusting the amount of electrolyte, it is easy to change the storage capacity, enabling a flexible use design for a wide range of applications, from residential equipment to large-scale energy storage solutions of MWh class. VFlowTech Pte Ltd. achieves high safety, storage performance, and cost efficiency compared to other solutions by utilizing proprietary structural patents.
■Aiming for Sustainable Logistics through Collaboration with VFlowTech Pte Ltd.
MOL PLUS and MOL (Asia Oceania) are collaborating with Singapore's VFlowTech Pte Ltd. to promote the introduction of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) in the logistics industry, mainly in Southeast Asia and India. Specifically, by promoting the introduction of VRFB in port facilities and cold chain warehouses owned by the MOL Group and its business partners, the technology leads to the stable utilization of renewable energy. This contributes to the achieving of the decarbonization of logistics operations and stable power supply, reducing the environmental impact.
■Exploring Next-Generation Space Transportation Infrastructure through Collaboration
Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (hereinafter referred to as ISC) is a venture company aiming to reduce the cost and increase the frequency of space transportation by developing reusable rockets for satellite launches. They started collaborating with MOL in 2024. ISC has a vision of " A world where people and cargo are delivered every day. We want to make such a world a reality in space" and is challenging the innovation of space transportation.
At first glance, "space" and "sea" appear unrelated, but ISC's vision and MOL' s shipping and logistics know-how have high compatibility. MOL's experience in marine business can be a significant strength particularly in the offshore launch and recovery technology of reusable rockets that ISC is developing. Various synergies are expected to be created through the collaboration between the two companies, such as the operation of rocket launch and recovery ships and the construction of new supply chains for space transportation.
■Towards a New Era with Shipping × Space Transportation
Through this collaboration, we aim to deepen understanding of offshore launch and recovery business for reusable rockets and focus on creating new businesses in the spaceport business and space transportation services. In the future, we intend to expand our business in the new field of space, beyond the framework of shipping, logistics, and marine business.
MOL PLUS will continue to invest in and collaborate with startup companies, aiming to create new businesses that add new value to the shipping industry and society by generating synergies between the innovative ideas and technologies of startup companies and the resources of the MOL Group.
Thanks to your support, MOL PLUS celebrates its 4th anniversary on April 26, 2025!
We look forward to serving you in our fifth year.