OREANDA-NEWS. December 12, 2012. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced that the company acquired the top rating for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Environmental Assessment Loan.

To get this loan system, the MOL Group must meet strict environmental assessment standards set by SMBC and Japan Research Institute.

MOL Group environmental strategy is a key element of the midterm management plan GEAR UP! MOL. The group's goal is to contribute to sustainable worldwide economic growth by promoting efficiency and environmental protection, and it takes various initiatives to achieve that objective.

The MOL Group earned high marks for environmental management, environmental protection measures, and environmental business, and was ranked as a company whose corporate management reflects deep concern for the environment.

The group also received high ratings particularly for providing customers with ocean transport services that have a low environmental burden for customers; promoting environmental protection activities through its group-wide environmental management system in Japan and overseas, proactive efforts to save energy, reduce waste, and encourage and recycling in land-based offices in addition to wide use of "Eco Sailing" to boost vessel operating efficiency. Initiatives on research and development such as launching vessels with a low environmental burden and the adoption of propeller boss cap fins (PBCF) were also recognized as the group's environmental awareness.

As part of the next-generation vessel concept Senpaku ISHIN project to reduce the environmental burden of shipping activities, the hybrid car carrier Emerald Ace, equipped with an electric power supply system that combines a solar generation system, with storage batteries, was launched on June 29.

The MOL Group continually offers transport solutions with a lower environmental burden, while evolving as a corporate group that meets the needs of the times.