MOL Worldwide Logistics
President and CEO of MLG, MWL & MCS

In this age of interconnectedness and instant gratification, the importance of freight forwarding cannot be overstated. Elevating it is the meteoric rise of e-commerce, global supply chains and just-in-time manufacturing.

Its criticality means even the slightest hiccup in the overall freight forwarding process can have far-reaching consequences, including production stoppages, inventory shortages and increased costs, all leading to deteriorating customer relations.

MOL Worldwide Logistics (MWL), a global freight forward leader, offers a one-stop shop for all logistics needs.

A subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), its broad spectrum of logistics services accommodates the diverse needs of a worldwide clientele, including air and ocean freight, customs clearance, safety of warehousing and inspection, and specialized handling of heavyweight and oversized cargo. These distinctive offerings equip clients with improved efficiency, reliability and innovation, giving them a competitive edge.

Another key business division is the MOL Consolidation Service (MCS), dedicated to delivering value through innovative and tailored solutions designed with the primary goal of optimizing end-to-end supply chain visibility and helping users achieve desired cost effectiveness, improved profitability and enhanced market impact.

“We bring a wealth of experience, robust global networks, and a commitment to tailored solutions to ensure cargo is delivered safely, efficiently, and on time, regardless of the mode of transport or geographical location,” says Koichi Yashima, group executive officer (EO) of MOL; and president and CEO of MOL Logistics Co., Ltd. (MLG), MOL Worldwide Logistics (MWL) and MOL Consolidation Service (MCS).

The extended role he plays places him at the helm of not one but three companies—MLG, MWL, and MCS—pivotal to the logistics group. As part of the Group Executive Officer system—the highest managing board of the conglomerate, he is entrusted with steering the entities that collectively form the core operations of MOL’s expansive logistics footprint.

Global Partnerships to Fulfill Customer Requirements

Through the careful coordination of the three companies, MOL creates a synergy that underlines the group’s organizational structure. Combining this with a global network of 360 offices across 61 countries, MWL precisely caters to the intricate dynamics between customer transport needs and the ever-changing supply and demand trends.

Yashima and his team recognize that understanding the complexities driven by emerging transport specifications and demand fluctuations is paramount to consistently meeting bottom lines. MWL’s Hong Kong-based control tower acts as a hub that excels in managing carrier relations, pricing, procurement, space allocation and fee management. Nurtured through years of strong relationships with ocean carriers, this centralized system rejects the one-size-fits-all approach to drive better project scalability.

The company provides comprehensive visibility and supply chain solutions in collaboration with MCS. These offerings go beyond conventional shipment tracking to incorporate purchase order (PO) visibility—an aspect that has gained prominence across retailers in the U.S. and Europe—to stand apart in their hyper-competitive arenas.

From procurement to delivery of finished goods, MCS provides transparency across every stage of supply chain management. This meticulous monitoring involves capturing and centralizing all relevant data, which is then transformed into actionable insights that enhance business processes, support long-term financial planning, and facilitate strategic decision-making.

“We engage with the client on a deep level, delving into their needs and full supply chain requirements. Over the years, we have built a reputation for providing comprehensive solutions that don’t just handle individual shipments but optimize entire networks,” states Yashima.

An Innovative Approach for Better Satisfaction

In the contemporary logistics landscape, customer satisfaction and the ability to adapt to their evolving needs have taken center stage.

With this knowledge, MWL delivers its solutions suite through a highly stable cloud-based environment. It is backed by continuous automation tools that connect project runners with a network of agents and partners that provide actionable recommendations through a unified platform.

We Bring A Wealth Of Experience, Robust Global Networks, And A Commitment To Tailored Solutions To Ensure Cargo Is Delivered Safely, Efficiently, And On Time, Regardless Of The Mode Of Transport Or Geographical Location

At the heart of this transparency lies a cloud-based visibility application, CargoWise, which allows clients to initiate shipments as they enjoy 24/7 access to real-time insights into their logistics operations. This solution is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, empowering customers to effortlessly monitor milestones and ensure seamless collaboration among all stakeholders.

The cloud-based non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) system also provides real-time visibility and supports essential functions such as container tracking, auditing, security filings and document retrieval.

Hosted in three, cutting-edge data centers, in the UK, Asia Pacific, and North America, CargoWise allows MWL to offer uninterrupted global disaster recovery, efficient data management, timely updates, proactive maintenance, robust backup systems, and comprehensive continuity planning. To boost the system’s impact, the company regularly conducts independent audits, including rigorous vulnerability testing that bolsters data privacy and security.

Values that Drive Success, Innovation and Progress

In April 2015, MWL’s parent company introduced ‘MOL CHARTS,’ an acronym for a set of values that guides all MOL Group employees. The program represents six key principles that embody the core beliefs shared within the organization.

The first foundational element is the Challenge, which signifies its unwavering innovation and forward-thinking strategies. This aspect encourages employees to be proactive in identifying and cultivating new business opportunities by staying ahead of industry trends and changes. By adopting this approach, the company strives to fuel its growth through the infusion of innovative ideas and forward-looking strategies.

Honesty is another integral facet of ethical conduct and compliance throughout the organization. It underscores the necessity of prioritizing and adhering to social norms while upholding the highest ethical standards in all business operations.

Complementing these principles is Accountability, which strongly emphasizes taking responsibility for one’s actions and tasks. This ensures every team member actively contributes to the company’s goals and bolsters a sense of shared responsibility among the workforce.

Reliability, another key component, puts a spotlight on building trust with customers and other stakeholders. It encourages employees to view their work from a customer’s perspective and consistently deliver services that not only meet, but exceed their expectations. This principle also instills a proactive approach to
addressing social issues. It calls for taking responsibility for one’s behavior and contributing to the establishment of trust and reliability.

Teamwork, as a central tenet, underscores the importance of collaboration and cultivation of a strong team dynamic.

It promotes open communication coupled with mutual respect among team members, creating an environment where knowledge, experience, expertise and skills are shared.

Safety is a foundational principle that encourages proactive efforts to reinforce safety awareness throughout the organization, acknowledging its fundamental role in ensuring the well-being of employees, ultimately contributing to the company’s overall success.

The CHARTS ideology was designed to encourage employees to embrace these values in their daily roles, nurturing a sense of shared purpose and direction. MOL Group’s adoption of MOL CHARTS underscores its intuitive approach to ensuring compliance, prioritizing safety and developing a workforce that embodies the ideals of personal initiative, responsibility and proficiency.

MOL Group also places great emphasis on collaboration and optimization within the organization, which extends to all MOL Group logistics companies and creates a system of cooperation that benefits the entire group. Working together as one cohesive entity, the company aims to strengthen and optimize procurement processes, fostering a unified approach that aligns with its overarching goals.

MWL’s excellence goes beyond CHARTS, as it diligently evaluates vessels and vendor partnerships to minimize carbon footprints across all engagements. While MWL is operating on a non-asset basis, the MOL Group possesses an extensive fleet of over 800 vessels. It is also actively transitioning toward adopting greener and more sustainable options to align its operations with broader sustainability goals.

Customer Satisfaction at the Core

A distinguishing characteristic of MWL’s ethos is its commitment to go beyond surface-level interactions with an approach deeply rooted in understanding customer needs and supply chains. Instead of relying on the conventional method of offering the lowest rates to secure business, its strength lies in finding value-adding solutions that save customers money and strengthen their long-term investments.

A compelling testament to MWL’s prowess as a transformative logistics partner is the role it played in supporting a prominent U.S.-based retailer grappling with formidable challenges involving carrier space shortages and cargo movement disruptions at the height of the pandemic.

Through its collaborative methodology, MWL bridged critical gaps within their logistics framework, exhibiting flexibility and a dedication to consistently delivering exceptional performance and orchestrating seamless operations from Asia to the U.S. Its extraordinary dedication culminated in a profound transformation of the business relationship. Recognizing the depth of MWL’s capabilities and the strength of their partnership, the retailer chose MWL as their primary safety valve forwarder and NVOCC.

This noteworthy achievement underscores the pivotal role relationships play in MWL’s success and its dedication to customer satisfaction, with the ability to transform business engagements into genuine relationships through flexibility and performance. With a customer-centric approach, MWL stands out as a leader in the dynamic world of logistics and exemplifies it as the embodiment of a modern, customer-focused logistics company.