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The President of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has stressed in his traditional new year's message that the company is already taking steps to address the issue of the environment and is pushing forward with the development of a series of next-generation vessels to reduce its 'environmental burden'.

In the message entitled "2010 - the Year of the Tiger, the Year of MOL. Seizing favourable opportunities in difficult circumstances through our own endeavours", President Akimitsu Ashida [pictured] commented on the company's ISHIN-I (car carrier) and ISHIN-II (car ferry) future ship concepts, which aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%.

"These concepts are not some nebulous idea about "ships of the future", but are soundly based on advancing and refining existing technologies and are eminently feasible, and we are presenting these eco-ships based on a realistic vision," Ashida said.

"I believe that by challenging the status quo and exploring new possibilities in growing fields, we can also drive the expansion of our company," he added.

ISHIN-II, is an environmentally-friendly ferry that transport both cargo and passengers.

The ship's features are as follows:

(1) Use of LNG as fuel for cleaner exhaust gas and a reduction of CO2 emissions.

(2) Use of a shore power supply system - Whilst in port, and at berth the vessel achieves zero emission by using electricity supplied from shore and rechargeable batteries.

The first vessel in the series, the ISHIN-I, was announced on September 10 2009. "ISHIN-I (ishin one)" stands for "Innovations in Sustainability backed by Historically proven, INtegrated technologies." "ISHIN" is also the Japanese word for a complete revitalization or reform.

MOL says its concept vessel forms part of an initiative to shift logistics from trucks and airplanes to more environmentally-friendly modes of transportation, such as vessels and railways, in order to reduce CO2 emissions. This is expected to ease traffic jams on roads, reduce traffic accidents, and ease the labor shortage caused by Japan's declining birthrate and aging population.

According to MOL, the aforementioned initiative and the adoption of a combination of new technologies will lead to CO2 emissions being reduced by 50%, NOx by 90%, SOx by 98-100%, and particulate matters (PM) such as soot , dust, and smoke by 98%, per voyage, compared to current MOL Group ferries.