OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2011. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the company’s acquisition of the “DBJ Environmental Ratings” from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ), and received a loan based on the rating.

MOL’s acquisition of the DBJ Environmental Ratings is the first in the ocean shipping industry. In addition, the company received the highest rating from DBJ, which cited MOL’s “particularly forward-looking approaches to environmental consciousness.”

Based on its own screening system, DBJ evaluates corporate environmental management, selects the top companies, and applies three-tier interest rates depending on companies’ environmental rating scores.

Its top-level rating on MOL reflects ongoing efforts to ensure safe operation such as establishment of the Safety Operation Supporting Center, which monitors all operated vessels on a round-the-clock basis, in addition to promotion of the next-generation vessel concept Sempaku ISHIN project aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, and a comprehensive approach to “Eco Sailing” in pursuit of more environmentally efficient operation.

The MOL Group continues its efforts to enhance safe operation and promote environmental strategies, which are part of the overall strategy set out in its midterm management plan GEAR UP! MOL. The group strives to evolve as a corporate group that responds to the needs of the times by offering transport solutions with lower environmental impact.