Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. President Akimitsu Ashida announced a donation of $40,000 to relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana that struck the Philippines at the end of September. The company expressed its heartfelt sympathy for the disaster victims, and said it hopes they can return to normal life as soon as possible.
MOL is making the donation through Manila-based Magsaysay-Mitsui O.S.K. Marine, Inc., which provides recruitment and training of seafarers. The company has already started relief flights in the region, and is considering other relief activities.
MOL has a long relationship with the Philippines, and employs many Filipino mariners. MOL also operates the seafarer training company MOL Maritime Training Corp. in the Philippines.
MOL previously sent aid supplies on its training ship Sprit of MOL to the Philippines when a typhoon hit the archipelago in June 2008. Thus, MOL has contributed in many ways to the support of victims in the Philippines.