MOL to help Mauritius restore its marine environment
Wakashio’s charterer sets good example after maritime accident by working with the local community.
Mitsui OSK Lines has pledged to help Mauritius clean up the pollution caused by the 2020 grounding of the 203,000-dwt bulker, Wakashio.
As the vessel’s charterer, the company does not bear direct responsibility for the accident, but has nevertheless decided to help the island recover from the disaster — a welcome example and precedent for other maritime companies to follow.
MOL chairman Junichiro Ikeda, said last year: “As we take to heart that safe operation is the fundamental value of our company and the foundation of our business, all of us must pledge that we can never again allow the occurrence of an incident like Wakashio.”
An environmental assessment has found that it may take up to a decade for affected mangroves and corals to fully recover, meaning the commitment to help will be a long-term project for the company.
