MOL Turns 50 in Thailand

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) celebrated the 50th anniversary for the establishment of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Thailand).

On November 13, it held a party in Bangkok for customers, business partners, and others, marking the event and the centennial anniversary for the opening of liner service to and from Thailand by its predecessor, Osaka Shosen.

Around 500 guests attended the event including Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport, and Shiro Sadoshima, Japanese Ambassador to Thailand.
 
MOL President & CEO Ikeda noted that Thailand is the historical center of MOL's extensive overseas network, and Thailand has built a solid position as an ASEAN leader. He also said he expects the country will continue growing and increasing its presence as a center of ASEAN, thanking the government's various economic measures.

Minister of Transport, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told the guests that the MOL Group has contributed to Thailand's international competitiveness through logistics business, and a steady future growth can be expected considering the challenging spirit that flows through MOL's history.

Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, Shiro Sadoshima mentioned MOL is definitely a pioneer of logistics in Thailand. The contribution to Thailand has been significant through the past 50 years of expansion into Customs clearance, land transportation, and warehouse business.

"MOL launched liner services to and from Thailand in 1918 when exports of Japanese products to Southeast Asian countries started rising. Fifty years later, in 1968, the company established Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Thailand) to provide inland transport to handle increasing plant-related cargoes via Bangkok port, in step with Southeast Asian countries' economic development," said a press release from the company.

Another 50 years on, Thailand serves as a regional logistics hub, and is now home to 11 MOL Group companies including Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Thailand). The companies are developing businesses not only within the frame of ocean shipping agency services, but also unique logistics operations specific to Thailand.

"Looking ahead to Thailand's continued economic growth, the MOL Group is committed to an unchanging policy that positions Thailand as a core business center, continually meeting the challenges of entering new businesses in a proactive manner, while working to enhance existing businesses," the release said.