Update: Supporting Typhoon Relief Efforts in Mindanao, the Philippines

Jan. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced that its training ship, the Spirit of MOL (*1) has delivered aid supplies to Misamis Oriental Province on Mindanao Island, the Philippines, which suffered severe damage from typhoon Sendong (International name: Washi) in mid-December. The ship carried supplies provided by MOL, its group company Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc. (*2) and the Philippine government.

MOL received a request for transport of emergency aid supplies from the Philippines Social Welfare Development, and swiftly assigned the Spirit of MOL, which was on a training voyage near the Philippines, to call at the Port of Manila. At the port, with government officials together, the ship jointly loaded aid supplies such as rice, clothing, and blankets donated by the MOL Group, in addition to items provided by the government such as drinking water, food, medical supplies, and so on, and then departed port on December 29.

The Spirit of MOL called at the Port of Cagayan de Oro near the disaster area on January 1, and unloaded the supplies the following day. After that, Captain Ponnappa and trainees distributed the supplies directly to the people affected, and helped with cleanup efforts at a school damaged by the typhoon.

MOL’s activities received extensive coverage in local newspapers, and earned praise from Cagayan de Oro City officials. “The company sincerely hopes for a rapid recovery to the area and a quick return to normal life”, Muto said.

*1. MOL training ship, Spirit of MOL (length: 106m/breadth: 16m/draft: 5.8m/gross tonnage: 4,878 dwt)
MOL-owned ship to help train cadet seafarers in safe, efficient vessel operation. The ship conducts training while navigating mainly between the Philippine and Singapore. The Spirit of MOL also received a request for ocean transport of aid supplies from the Philippine Government and contributed to relief efforts and cleanup activities in the aftermath of Typhoon Frank, a major storm that hit the Philippines in June 2008.
*2. Magsaysay MOL Maritime, Inc.: MOL manning company in Manila. It was jointly established by MOL and its partner in the Philippines, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, in March 1997.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:
MOL is one of the world’s largest multi-modal transport companies, operating 861 vessels and employing a workforce in excess of 9,200 worldwide. MOL operates one of the largest and most diverse networks of liner and logistics services around the globe, including weekly Transpacific, Transatlantic, Americas and Asia-Europe services.  Please visit the company’s website at www.MOLpower.com.

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