MOL wins global service accolade

THE CAR carrying division of Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) has been awarded top honours for its global service from one of the industry's key customers, the Ford Motor Company. MOL will receive Ford's Q1 2002 certification for "Global Marine Transportation Service" at a ceremony scheduled for later this year at Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. This is recognition of the line's quality car carrying service, according to Ford. "We are pleased to have met the expectations of Ford Motor Company Ð which is a key strategic customer," said Setsuyasu Hagiwara, executive officer for MOL. It proves the effectiveness of the line's quality management system, according to Paul Carlton, president of MOL Bulk Shipping in the USA. "Our management system was structured with the flexibility to promote continuous improvement, thus ensuring we meet Ford's future requirements." MOL currently operates a fleet of around 70 car-carrying and ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) type vessels. It presently handles over 20% of the total world-wide volume of vehicle movement, according to the line's market analysis. The car carrier division has also had its quality management standards certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Ð holding the ISO 9001:2000 rating since June 2001