MOL to Promote Use of ICT-Based Trends in Advanced Digitalization

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a technology consulting agreement with Professor Tomoharu Naga, a creator of the next-generation AI advanced machine learning and the percolative learning method.

The MOL Group has worked with Professor Nagao from the Yokohama National University Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences since 2016 to forecast the dry bulk market by analyzing data related to economic issues and maritime affairs.

In 2016, the shipping company and the university agreed to conduct a joint study on the analysis and use of big data related to ocean shipping.

Following the most recent agreement, MOL said it will continue to promote the use and application of ICT-based trends in advanced digitalization.

The company aims to become a “corporate group of competitive No.1 businesses,” under the Vision for the MOL Group 10 years from now set out in the Rolling Plan 2018 management plan by enhancing its services through the use and application of ICT.

As informed, Tomoharu Nagao is a leading authority on advanced machine leaning, and has pioneered many advanced calculation models by applying advanced calculation methods to image processing and recognition, nerve circuit networks, time-series forecast, etc.

Advanced machine learning is said to be the next stage of artificial intelligence (AI) after deep learning which realizes autonomous solution of problems.

The percolative learning method is a model that percolates future information available only during learning into information, which can be used even during practical use. It is expected to allow much higher accuracy in forecasting future changes.