Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that the MOL Group participated in the TICAD Business Expo & Conference, an event held alongside The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9, Note 1) at Pacifico Yokohama from Wednesday, August 20 to Friday, August 22. This was the group’s third time participating in this event, and it showcased a wide range of projects in Africa at the booth. In addition, MOL Group executives spoke at various sessions and signed a total of five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) related to projects in Africa.

・Economic Partnership In Indian Ocean-Africa Forum ‘Potential of Economic Partnership in Indian Ocean-Africa’ (hosted by Nikkei Inc., August 20)
MOL Representative Director and Executive Vice President Toshinobu Shinoda took the stage and introduced MOL’s business in Africa and third-country partnerships, as well as its partner strategy within Africa. Amidst the expansion of the African economy, he discussed what could be achieved and how it could lead to further business expansion when viewed from a broad geographical and geopolitical perspective of the Indian Ocean-African economic zone. He also highlighted the importance of considering issues such as instability in the supply of electricity and fuel for infrastructure in marine transport to and from Africa and inland logistics, geopolitical risks, and uncertainties in systems.

・’LNG Powerships and Logistics Innovation for Africa’s Sustainable Growth’ (hosted by MOL, August 20)
MOL Managing Executive Officer Tatsuro Watanabe, responsible for Europe and Africa, and five executives responsible for business development in Africa, took the stage to introduce MOL initiatives. In Africa, where population growth and urbanization are progressing, and where inadequate power infrastructure and climate change response are issues, MOL Group has proposed a responsive power and fuel supply model that combines LNG powerships and logistics. By leveraging the development of port and transportation infrastructure alongside group synergies, MOL Group aims to establish itself as a social infrastructure company that fosters sustainable growth in Africa, with future plans to embrace renewable energy and green fuels.

・’Co-Creating the Future of Healthcare and the Economy: Japan-Africa Public-Private Partnerships at the Forefront” (hosted by the Cabinet Office and Cabinet Secretariat, August 20)
MOL Logistics, Co., Ltd. Chairman Koichi Yashima took the stage and introduced the African healthcare logistics hub concept the company is jointly developing with Revital Healthcare (EPZ) Limited (Note 2) in the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya. Considering that many of the medical kits and medicines needed in Africa are packaged and delivered from Europe and the Middle East, and the challenges posed by fragmented and inefficient distribution, the companies are planning to build a logistics center in the special economic zone. They aim to reduce logistics costs, shorten delivery times, and reduce dependence on global supply routes by joining forces to assemble medical kits, implement logistics, and manage warehouses.

・Panel discussion on ‘GH2 off-taking and industrialization’ (hosted by the African Development Bank, August 21)
MOL Senior Managing Executive Officer Hisashi Umemura took the stage to introduce MOL projects and discuss the outlook for utilization of green hydrogen. He also explored the potential of green hydrogen in Africa, and covered issues related to project formation and development of off-take systems, and their respective solutions.

・Seminar: ‘Japan-Africa Co-Creation Driven by Japanese Startups: Unlocking New Markets through Partnership with Major Corporations’ (hosted by Shukuru Cube Japan, August 22)
MOL Chief Sustainability Officer Toru Hikima introduced the concept of “solar refrigeration × processing and export × digital kiosk model” in Senegal, which is supported by MOL. He also highlighted the potential for Japanese startups and major companies to collaborate in reducing food waste and fostering sustainable industries in Africa.

During TICAD 9, the MOL Group signed MOUs for the following five projects related to Africa. The group will continue to pursue business expansion in Africa.
• Collaboration in automobile trade between India and Africa (Suzuki, Trade Waltz, MOL) (Note 3)
• Installation of Sharp solar panels at facilities of International Organization for Migration (IOM), international humanitarian NGO (Sharp, IOM, MOL)
• Installation of Sharp solar panels at facilities of Association for Aid and Relief, Japan, (AAR Japan), international humanitarian NGO (Sharp, AAR, MOL)
• Joint development and promotion of infrastructure projects in Africa (Alistair Group (Note 4), MOL)
• Healthcare logistics development in Kenya (Revital Healthcare, MOL Logistics)

MOL has offered marine transport services to and from Africa for nearly a century since launching Japan’s first liner route linking Japan and the east coast of Africa in 1926. In recent years, MOL has established offices in four countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mauritius. MOL Group is active in a variety of businesses, including land transport, warehousing, human capital consulting, and investment in startups, as well as marine transport.

MOL Group has set forth developing and expanding new non-shipping businesses, such as logistics operations, in emerging countries and regions, including Africa, in the portfolio strategy and regional strategy of its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan. The group will utilize the results of this event to promote ongoing business activities in Africa.
Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines