Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation, have signed an MOU with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation on the collaborative study for ocean-going liquified CO2 (LCO2) carriers to realize large-scale international transportation in Japan initiated CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) from 2028 onwards. The four companies will proceed with this initiative aiming to apply it at the future commencement of CCS business led by the Japanese government.
Conceptual image of the ocean-going Liquified CO2 (LCO2) carrier
Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) launched a feasibility study on Japanese Advanced CCS Project, as a public offered project in FY2023. Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to increase in the near future to transport captured CO2 from Japan to storage areas in various CCS projects. It is very important to standardize the specification and design of LCO2 carriers across each project as well as to establish a realistic production supply chain so that LCO2 carriers will be constructed and supplied stably in Japan and CCS value chain will be achieved with improved economic efficiency. The signed MOU suggests that four companies have agreed to make a collaboration to solve these issues related to the construction of LCO2 carriers and marine transportation, starting with Japan initiated CCS projects to the Asia-Pacific region.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard have already begun joint study to build LCO2 carriers, demands for which are expected to increase in the near future, by making the most of their strengths while mutually complementing each other.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, who are now advancing business development for early launch of the CCS business, are selected as leading companies in the Japanese Advanced CCS Project by JOGMEC aiming for overseas CO2 storage.
MHI Group is pursuing strategic measures to strengthen its business for the energy transition. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, for its role in this initiative, efforts to contribute the advance of the maritime industry in Japan and around the world by utilizing its shipbuilding-based marine engineering technologies in addition to conventional shipbuilding. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will actively promote the development of LCO2 carriers and establishment of CCS value chain through collaboration with various domestic/overseas companies, and also construction of demonstration ship for transport of LCO2 for New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Nihon Shipyard is actively working on commercialization of LNG and ammonia fueled ships as preparation of upcoming strengthening of GHG emission regulations. As the next initiative, the company is contributing to realize a sustainable carbon neutral society by delivering LCO2 carriers essential for establishment of CCS value chain.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.
A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed amongst Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) and Amazon Seller Private Limited on today. The main objective of this MoU is to jointly provide skill training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in e-commerce sector. It envisages mobilisation of PwDs for skill training by the DEPwD, designing of job roles for e-commerce sector by SCPwD and providing skill training and hiring of PwDs by Amazon. Such initiatives of all the parties would create better opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by imparting job specific, practical and e-commerce skills in the supply chain sector to enhance their sustainable employability in the job market as well as to enable them to become entrepreneurs.
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister, SJ&E graced the occasion by his presence in the MoU signing ceremony held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
On the occasion, Minister said that it is also desired by Prime Minister that private companies should be associated for empowering PwDs by providing them employment opportunities and making them self reliant. Minister said keeping in mind Aatm Nirbhar Bharat, not only private companies such as Amazon but also Society should come forward and together to make Divyangjan Aatm Nirbhar (Self-reliant).
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD while appreciating SCPwD and Amazon for joining hands with Department in its endeavour to make PwDs empowered, said number of trained/employed PwDs under the programme should be tracked and efforts should be made to provide employment opportunities to PwDs from Jobs in warehouses to making them entrepreneurs.
DEPwD was represented by Shri Kishor B. Surwade, Deputy Director General, SCPwD by Shri Ravindra Singh, CEO, Amazon Seller Private Limited by Shri Akhil Saxena, Vice President, Operations APAC/MENA/LATAM.
A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being signed amongst Deptt. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, Sector Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) and Amazon Internet Private Limited on 28.09.2022 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre at 1:45 pm. The main objective of this MoU is to jointly provide skill training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also envisages mobilisation of PwDs for skill training by the DEPwD, designing of job roles for e-commerce sector by SCPwD and providing skill training and hiring of PwDs.
DEPwD will be represented by Shri Kishor B. Surwade, Deputy Director General, SCPwD by Shri Ravindra Singh, CEO, Amazon Internet Private Limited by Shri Akhil Saxena, Vice President, Operations APAC/MENA/LATAM.
Such initiatives of all the parties would create better opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by imparting job specific, practical and e-commerce skills in the supply chain sector to enhance their sustainable employability in the job market as well as to enable them to become entrepreneurs.
The MoU will be signed in the gracious presence of Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar.
Etsy, the global marketplace for unique and creative goods, has partnered with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support small sellers, weavers and artisans, by providing them with market access and enablement support.
As a part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Etsy will work with the NEHHDC to develop enablement programs, specifically designed for artisans from the North East including modules on online selling and entrepreneurship and the opportunity to access a wider market for their products.
Etsy aims to equip artisans, creators and small entrepreneurs in the Indian handicrafts sector with important tools and resources to start and manage online businesses. Etsy will provide digital enablement services to these sellers and conduct training workshops to familiarise them with Etsy and how to sell on the marketplace.
Commenting on the development, Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd), Managing Director, NEHHDC said, “It’s a key focus for us to promote the indigenous crafts of the North East region and create economic opportunities for craftspeople. There are more than 21 lakh weavers and 14.5 lakh artisans in the region, but the right kind of market linkage has been missing. This association with Etsy can be a gamechanger for our artisans and ensure that they are able to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms and reach both domestic and global buyers.”
Ross LaJeunesse, VP, Public Policy & Advocacy, Etsy, said, “Etsy’s vision across the world is to ‘Keep Commerce Human’, and we are committed to using the power of our business and our platform to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs – knowing that by doing so, we in turn empower and improve communities. There is global appreciation for ‘Made in India’ products and we want to enable artisans and craftspeople from the all the states of the North East to be a part of our community of 5.5 million sellers and use our platform to showcase the intricacy, the beauty, and the quality of their art to audiences – and buyers – across the world.”
This partnership will help indigenous products from the area (from categories like textiles, cane and bamboo products, accessories and more) become available online for millions of buyers on the Etsy platform. Artisans from all eight North Eastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will be onboarded onto Etsy. They will receive a fixed amount of free ad credits as a part of this programme.
About Etsy:
Etsy, Inc. founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world. These marketplaces share a mission to “Keep Commerce Human,” and are committed to using the power of business and technology to strengthen communities and empower people. The Etsy.com, its primary marketplace, is the global destination for unique and creative goods. Buyers come to Etsy to be inspired and delighted by items that are crafted and curated by creative entrepreneurs. For sellers, Etsy offers a range of tools and services that address key business needs.
Etsy, Inc.’s “House of Brands” portfolio also includes fashion resale marketplace Depop, musical instrument marketplace Reverb, and Brazil-based handmade goods marketplace Elo7. Each Etsy, Inc. marketplace operates independently, while benefiting from shared expertise in product, marketing, technology, and customer support.
About NEHHDC:
Incorporated in 1977, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) is an organisation that attempts to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the North Eastern region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and consumers and generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers. The corporation is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. It offers a range of products from all the eight North Eastern states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
The organisation procures handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the region and retails the same through its chain of “Purbashree” Emporia located at Shillong, Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore and a Sales Promotion Office at Chennai. Moreover it promotes the products at various national and international markets through exhibitions and trade fairs. The Corporation also conducts training programmes and seminars for skill and knowledge upgradation of the artisans and weavers.
Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (“Honda”) today announced that they have agreed to deepen discussion and exploration of forming a strategic alliance that aims to create a new era of mobility and mobility services. Specifically, the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines their intent to establish a joint venture (“New Company”) through which they plan to engage in the joint development and sales of high value-added battery electric vehicles (EVs) and commercialize them in conjunction with providing mobility services.
The two companies will proceed with negotiations toward executing various definitive binding agreements, including a joint development agreement and a joint venture agreement, with a goal of establishing the New Company within 2022, subject to execution of the definitive agreements and relevant regulatory approvals.
This alliance aims to bring together Honda’s mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience cultivated over many years, with Sony’s expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network, and entertainment technologies, to realize a new generation of mobility and services that are closely aligned with users and the environment, and continue to evolve going forward.
Sales of the first EV model from the New Company are expected to start in 2025. The New Company is expected to plan, design, develop, and sell the EVs, but not own and operate manufacturing facilities, so Honda is expected to be responsible for manufacturing the first EV model at its vehicle manufacturing plant. It is expected that a mobility service platform will be developed by Sony and made available for the New Company.
Comment from Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation
“Sony’s Purpose is to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.” Through this alliance with Honda, which has accumulated extensive global experience and achievements in the automobile industry over many years and continues to make revolutionary advancements in this field, we intend to build on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one,’ and contribute to the evolution of mobility centered around safety, entertainment and adaptability.”
Comment from Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President, Representative Executive Officer and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
“The New Company will aim to stand at the forefront of innovation, evolution, and expansion of mobility around the world, by taking a broad and ambitious approach to creating value that exceeds the expectations and imagination of customers. We will do so by leveraging Honda’s cutting-edge technology and know-how in relation to the environment and safety, while aligning the technological assets of both companies. Although Sony and Honda are companies that share many historical and cultural similarities, our areas of technological expertise are very different. Therefore, I believe this alliance which brings together the strengths of our two companies offers great possibilities for the future of mobility.”
