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2025.07.22
In 1926, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) became the first Japanese shipping company to open a route connecting Japan and the east coast of Africa and has been engaged in maritime transportation to and from Africa for nearly 100 years. In recent years, MOL has expanded its bases in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mauritius, actively developing various businesses within the group, including forwarding business for air transportation, land transportation, warehousing, human resources, and startup investments.
MOL will exhibit at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which will be held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025. This blog will introduce the details of the exhibition and MOL's initiatives in Africa.
About TICAD
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), is an international conference focused on African development and investment. Since 1993, the Japanese government has led the conference, co-hosted with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). Many heads of state and private companies from African countries participate in the conference, which is a major event attended by over 10,000 organizations and companies from both the public and private sectors.
TICAD9 Logo
MOL's Participation in TICAD
MOL's participation is still relatively new, having started its activities by exhibiting a booth introducing the power generation ship business in collaboration with Turkish Karpower International B.V. (“Karpowership”) at TICAD7 held in 2019. Despite not having any prior plans, the participation of the Mozambique power company resulted in the signing of an MOU for the LNG power generation ship project between the Karpowership-MOL alliance.
The LNG power generation ship project is the world's first initiative under the "KARMOL" brand by Karpowership and MOL, combining FSRU and LNG power generation ships. The LNG transported by LNG ships is regasified by FSRU and sent to the power generation ship, which uses the gas received as fuel for power generation. This allows the conversion of the power generation ship's fuel from conventional heavy oil to LNG, enabling the supply of "electricity generated by LNG power with a lower environmental impact" to countries without LNG and LNG receiving bases on land.
Conceptual design of LNG power generation vessel solution in Mozambique as of 2019（Source：MOL Press Release）
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Karadeniz Powership Onur Sultan（Source：Karpower International B.V.社 HP）
In 2022, at TICAD8 held in Tunisia, MOL (EUROPE AFRICA) LTD., a part of the MOL Group, took the lead in participation. Despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and uncertainty until the last moment about whether the event would be held in person or online, and with significant restrictions on the number of participants, MOL actively engaged by setting up a booth in the business exhibition and co-hosting a reception with the Japan-Tunisia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Here is a glimpse of the event at that time (see MOL Group participated in TICAD8, a past blog）
Scenes from TICAD8 participation
Towards TICAD9
This year, MOL has decided to engage in TICAD9 with the entire company. We will exhibit a booth at the TICAD Business Expo & Conference hosted by JETRO, and hold a seminar introducing MOL's activities on 20 August at 1PM. The booth will also include a meeting space, so please feel free to stop by. Models of the Wind Challenger and the car carrier Turquoise Ace will also be on display.
MOL Booth at TICAD9 (Image)
Introduction to MOL's Business in Africa
MOL primarily focuses on logistics-related businesses centered around maritime transportation, such as the car carrier business that supports the rapidly advancing motorization in Africa by transporting cars. Along with these services, we have introduced various other businesses.
Power Generation Ship Business with Turkish company Karpowership, which supplies electricity to many African countries
Prior to the aforementioned project in Mozambique, the Karpowership and MOL alliance launched the LNG power generation ship project in Dakar, Senegal. This project is the first LNG power solution and the first FSRU project in West Africa.
FSRU “KARMOL LNGT POWERSHIP AFRICA”, an FSRU from West Africa that is part of the LNG power generation ship solution, being towed from Singapore to Senegal.（Source：MOL Press Release）
Video：KARMOL's first FSRU towed from Singapore to Senegal
Strategic Establishment of Healthcare Logistics Center in Mombasa Special Economic Zone
MOL, in collaboration with its group company MOL Logistics Co., Ltd., has partnered with Kenyan leading medical supplies manufacturer, Revital Healthcare (EPZ) Limited, to construct a logistics center for medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in the Mombasa Economic Zone in Kenya. In Africa, there is a shortage of logistics facilities for medical supplies, and products are often delivered via overseas routes. By building a logistics center in Mombasa, MOL Group and Revital Healthcare aim to reduce transportation costs and time, thereby streamlining medical supply delivery to the African region. Leveraging the expertise and international network of both companies, they strive to address Africa's medical logistics challenges and improve healthcare standards.
Conceptual image of the logistics center
Inside the Revital plant（Source: MOL Press Release）
Investment in Alistair Group, A Leading Logistics Company in Sub-Saharan Africa for Critical Mineral Transportation
In 2024, MOL acquired a 25% stake in Alistair Group, a company based in South Africa and Tanzania that handles cross-border logistics in sub-Saharan Africa. Alistair Group operates in eight countries, transporting critical minerals such as copper and cobalt to ports, and providing customs clearance, warehousing, port operations, and logistics DX services. By combining MOL Group's global network and expertise in maritime and logistics with Alistair Group's know-how in cross-border logistics in southeastern Africa, we aim to offer a wider range of high-quality logistics services to our customers in Africa.
Alistair Group trucks : cargo handling operations at the port（Source: MOL Press Release）
Providing Opportunities for African Talent to Work in Japan through Talent Dispatch Projects
While Japan faces a serious labor shortage due to an aging population, Kenya has a high unemployment rate among the younger generation, with educated individuals seeking opportunities to thrive. To bridge this gap, MOL has launched a project to train and introduce Kenyan talent to Japan.
From Kenya to Japan - A New Bridge for Talent Dispatch Projects（Source: MOL Shipping (Kenya) Limited Press Release）
Kenyan individuals have a high level of education, excellent language skills in English and Swahili, and strong teamwork abilities, earning high praise from Japanese companies. Leveraging our experience in supporting over 150 foreign workers in various fields beyond seafaring, we aim to enable Kenyan talent to excel in a wide range of industries, including construction, healthcare, logistics, and IT.
This initiative will not only help Japanese companies secure talent and promote globalization but also strengthen economic and cultural ties with Kenya.
If you are interested in this project, please contact us at africa-general@molgroup.com
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion as a Global Warming Countermeasure
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (“OTEC”) is a system that generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep-sea water. It involves pumping up deep-sea water from depths of 600 meters or more and extracting energy from the temperature difference with the surface water. Since it is not significantly affected by weather conditions, it can generate electricity stably 24 hours a day, and the amount of electricity generated can be predicted. Furthermore, the deep-sea water used for power generation remains sufficiently cold and does not change in water quality, allowing for secondary use in various fields such as fisheries, agriculture, and air conditioning. This makes it a sustainable power generation system that is attracting attention.
MOL is working on commercializing this project with a view to implementation in Mauritius.
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The OTEC Demonstration Test Facility（Source: MOL Press Release）
Here is a past blog about OTEC:
Unlocking Societal Innovation through "Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)" Sustainable Support Originating from the Sea (Part1), and（Part2）
Blue carbon projects such as mangrove conservation and restoration
MOL is participating in a blue carbon project aimed at the restoration and conservation of mangroves in South Sumatra, Indonesia, in collaboration with YL Forest Co., Ltd. Over approximately 30 years, the project aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 5 million tons and absorb approximately 6 million tons through sequestration. The total target is 11 million tons, and efforts to obtain international certification are currently underway. Through its natural environment restoration activities in Mauritius, MOL has learned about the importance of mangroves. Mangroves contribute not only to carbon absorption but also to biodiversity protection and disaster prevention in coastal areas. MOL is also working on supporting the livelihoods of local residents and sustainable fisheries and forest management, aiming to realize a society that coexists with nature.
How Mangroves Work（Source：MOL Press Release）
Additionally, we are considering expanding the production of green-derived marine fuel, which is essential for achieving zero emissions by 2050, in Africa in the future.
We warmly welcome everyone from Africa, Japanese companies involved in Africa, and those from other countries who are considering entering the African market in partnership with Japanese firms. Please do visit Yokohama. If you are interested in Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ business or see potential for collaboration that could contribute to Africa’s development, we would be pleased to arrange a meeting prior to the event. Regardless of whether or not it falls within our current business domains, we welcome even the smallest ideas or inquiries. There may be opportunities yet to be discovered. Our TICAD representative will be pleased to hear your ideas.
◆For inquiries, please contact us at africa-general@molgroup.comsatoshi.katada@molgroup.com
The website 'MOL Africa'
Please also visit the website 'MOL Africa', which features Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' businesses and initiatives related to Africa!
