Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is a major international shipping group with a divers ified network of interes ts across virtually all areas of the maritime sector. The company came into being in 1964 when Mits ui Steams hip Company - a division of Mits ui & Co - merged with OSK Lines , which was founded in 1884 . In 1968 , the company sent its firs t container s hips on the Japan-California route.