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The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to take place in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025, is fast approaching. While Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has been participating in TICAD since 2019, our connection with Africa actually dates back nearly a century.

In this article, we’ll introduce the TICAD9 program and highlight MOL’s long-standing relationship with Africa, our diverse business operations across the continent, and our dedicated Africa-focused website, MOL Africa, which showcases our latest initiatives and insights.

Countdown to TICAD9 — What to Expect

MOL is accelerating preparations for TICAD 9, where we will be exhibiting at our own booth and hosting a seminar. In addition to our seminar, we are also honored to participate as panelists in other sessions. We warmly invite you to visit not only the MOL booth but also the various seminars throughout the event.

At our seminar on 20th August at 1PM, we will also spotlight powerships, which are expected to play a key role in the conversion of retire ships to offshore data centers — a project recently announced in our press release. We look forward to welcoming you for our seminar!
To everyone involved in Africa: We warmly invite you to visit TICAD 9 in Yokohama. Whether you have questions, ideas for collaboration, or even the smallest inquiry, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us in advance to arrange a meeting—our TICAD representatives at MOL will be happy to assist you.

◆For inquiries, please contact us at： africa-general@molgroup.com
satoshi.katada@molgroup.com

CG rendering of powership and offshore data center
（Source：MOL Press Release）

MOL’s History in Africa

Did you know that MOL was the first Japanese shipping company to establish a route connecting Japan and the east coast of Africa? This pioneering effort dates back over a century.
In 1916, MOL began calling at the South African ports of Durban and Cape Town, marking the start of its maritime transport services between Japan and Africa. By 1926, the company had launched a regular liner service from Kobe to the east coast of Africa, calling monthly at major ports such as Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam. In the 1930s, MOL deployed five large vessels on this route, making it a vital channel for the overseas expansion of Japanese products.
In 1933, MOL expanded further by opening a West Africa route, adding ports such as Lagos and Dakar to its network and broadening access across the African continent. After World War II, regular services resumed in 1951, and by the 1950s, MOL was operating scheduled sailings to East, South, and West Africa. These services were welcomed by shippers for their shorter transit times and reduced freight costs.

Left: Kanadamaru, the first vessel to operate on MOL’s East Africa route
Right: Osakamaru, the first vessel to resume service on the Africa route via Cape Town after World War II. It was also the first ocean-going cargo ship built in Japan following the war. (Source: MOL Africa – MOL History in Africa)

MOL’s Osakamaru, the first vessel to operate under the Safari Service
(Source: MOL Africa – MOL History in Africa)

MOL’s Diverse Business Operations in Africa

MOL Group has established a presence in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mauritius, and operates a wide range of businesses beyond maritime transport. These include air freight forwarding, land transportation, warehousing, human resource services, and startup investment.

While we previously introduced the details of each business sector MOL Exhibits at TICAD9! MOL's Frontline African Business - Powerships, Logistics, Human Resource Development and Renewable Energy, this article offers a fresh overview of our activities by sector.

MOL Group operates dry bulk vessels of various sizes, primarily transporting steel coils for construction from Japan to Eastern and Southern Africa.

Additionally, using Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) and Capesize bulkers, we transport bauxite mainly from West Africa to destinations such as China.

Some of these vessels are designed to load and unload cargo independently of port infrastructure, allowing for flexible operations regardless of local equipment availability.

(Left) Multiple large metal coils, (Right) MOL’s dry bulk vessel TENRO MARU(Source: MOL Africa)

② Energy Business

Leveraging its extensive experience in energy transport, MOL is engaged in LNG infrastructure projects, tanker operations, liquefied gas shipping, and offshore services.

LNG Infrastructure Business – Power Vessel Projects in Mozambique and Senegal
In partnership with Turkey’s Karpowership, MOL is developing the LNG-based power vessel initiative known as KARMOL. In Mozambique, LNG is regasified and supplied to power vessels, enabling a transition from traditional heavy fuel oil to cleaner LNG. The electricity generated is delivered to the national utility company EDM, contributing to industrial development and improved access to power.
In Senegal, a system combining an FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) and a power vessel supplies approximately 15% of the country’s electricity. This model enables the rapid and cost-effective introduction of LNG and is gaining attention as a form of “transition energy” that supports the shift toward a decarbonized society.

The FSRU KARMOL LNGT POWERSHIP AFRICA, a key component of the FSRU and LNG power vessel solution originating from West Africa, being towed from Singapore to Senegal.（Source：MOL Press Release）

Tanker Business
MOL Group transports crude oil from countries such as Angola and Nigeria to Japan and other Asian nations.
In South Africa, we collaborate with local companies to provide transportation services for liquid chemicals and oil using chemical tankers.

Liquefied Gas Carriers Business
In partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Algeria’s state-owned enterprise, MOL operates three LNG carriers, ensuring a stable supply of LNG from Algeria to Europe and Turkey.
MOL has been involved in LNG transport since 1983 and today boasts the world’s largest LNG fleet and a top-tier track record in the industry.

The LNG carrier Cheikh Bouamama, delivering LNG from Algeria to Europe and Turkey（Source： MOL Africa) 

Offshore Business
Off the coast of Ghana, MOL is engaged in crude oil and natural gas production using an FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading unit). This facility has been in operation since 2016, supporting local energy supply and contributing to economic development.

An FPSO facility producing crude oil and natural gas, moored approximately 60 km off the western coast of the Republic of Ghana at a water depth of around 1,500 meters（Source:  MOL Africa, photo courtesy of MODEC, Inc)

③ Product Transport Business

Containership Business
Ocean Network Express (“ONE”), a group company of MOL, operates container shipping services with offices across various African countries.
For container transport arrangements—including customs clearance—MOL Logistics Nairobi Branch’s Japan Desk provides dedicated support for Africa-related logistics.

Car Carrier Business
MOL offers car carrier services throughout the African continent.
Africa is a promising market, with approximately 200,000 used vehicles exported annually from Japan, particularly to East African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya.
MOL also transports newly manufactured vehicles, including construction machinery and large vehicles produced in India, as well as new cars manufactured in South Africa.
These services are supported by one of the world’s largest fleets of car carriers, contributing to the growing availability of vehicles across Africa.

MOL’s car carriers are widely recognized by their “ACE” prefix in vessel names and operate under the unified brand MOL ACE (MOL Auto Carrier Express), expanding services globally

(Left) MOL’s car carrier Walrus Ace docked at the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania(Source: MOL Africa), (Right) MOL’s new LNG-fueled car carrier from the “BLUE” series, introduced in 2024（For more details, please refer to the MOL press release）

Logistics Business
MOL Group has established an office in Nairobi, Kenya as a logistics hub for Africa. From this base, we provide a wide range of services including ocean and air freight, warehousing, and cross-border logistics, functioning as a central hub for regional supply chains. The office also features a Japan Desk with Japanese-speaking staff, offering support for Japanese companies entering the African market and consulting on logistics-related matters.
In addition, we have acquired a 25% stake in Alistair Group, a logistics company with extensive operations across Sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership strengthens our capabilities in cross-border transportation, customs clearance, warehousing, and port operations, enabling us to deliver comprehensive logistics solutions. 

Photos of Alistair Group trucks and cargo handling operations at the port(Source: MOL Press Release)

④Kenyan Worker Migration Project

In response to Japan’s growing labor shortage and Kenya’s high youth unemployment rate, MOL has launched a human resource dispatch project in collaboration with the NPO LaMP, aiming to send Kenyan talent to Japan.
Kenyan individuals are highly regarded by Japanese companies for their strong educational background, language proficiency in English and Swahili, and excellent teamwork skills. Kenya also maintains strong economic ties with Japan and is one of the leading African countries where many Japanese companies have established operations. This project provides Japanese language education and various skill training programs, with the goal of employment in sectors such as construction, healthcare, logistics, and IT. Some participants have already begun interviews and internships. In the future, the program also envisions utilizing Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program and Specified Skilled Worker visa schemes. The success of Kenyan talent in Japan is expected not only to help alleviate labor shortages for Japanese companies, but also to contribute to skill transfer upon their return and support the expansion of Japanese businesses into Kenya.

From Kenya to Japan: A Staffing Project Building New Pathways(Source: MOL Africa) 

Discover MOL’s Business in Africa on MOL Africa Website!

In January 2025, MOL launched the dedicated website MOL Africa, featuring our Africa-related businesses and initiatives.

MOL Announces Launch of 'MOL Africa' Website Introducing Group Business in Africa

 In addition to showcasing MOL’s business operations, regional offices, and historical ties with Africa as introduced in this article, MOL Africa website, launched in January 2025, features a wide range of real-world content.
This includes media coverage, press releases, and blog posts written by local employees—offering authentic perspectives on Africa’s current landscape.

The blog covers a variety of topics, from practical business insights such as

Introduction to Motorcycle Taxi Logistics – Viewing the World from a Boda Boda Perspectiveand Flights for Lives: Drone Delivery for African Healthcare, to immersive firsthand experiences like
Snow on the Equator!? Hiking Report of Africa's Spectacular ‘Mount Kenya’.

We invite you to explore MOL Africa website to discover the dynamic appeal of Africa and MOL’s latest initiatives.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates directly.

Visit the website 'MOL Africa'

It’s packed with valuable insights into business opportunities, culture, and everyday life in Africa—don’t miss it!

 

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