Mitsui OSK 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 OSK Marine, Inc., which provides recruitment and training of seafarers. The company had started relief flights in the region in early October, and was 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 Spirit 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.