We would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the Great East Japan Earthquake, and extend our best wishes to other affected people. In this section we introduce crisis management measures implemented by MOL in the wake of the earthquake of March 11, 2011, support activities conducted for the disaster region, and our plans to contribute through our main business activities.
Swift Response Based on Business Continuity Plan
The company has formulated a business continuity plan (BCP) documenting specific procedures to enable it to continue providing its core marine transport services without interruption, or quickly restore operations to pre-disaster levels in preparation for an unexpected event. In the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster, or outbreak of an infectious disease, MOL's highest priority is ensuring the safety of MOL-operated vessels and company personnel. MOL took the following rapid actions based on this plan in the aftermath of the recent disaster.
Earthquake Task Force and Support Headquarters
The day after the earthquake occurred, we established the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake (Great East Japan Earthquake) Task Force and Support Headquarters, chaired by the president. In response to the massive damage done by the earthquake, we ensured business continuity by minimizing the damage to the MOL Group, while simultaneously establishing a system for providing rapid support for the disaster region.
MOL Press Release:
MOL Sets up a Task Force and Support Headquarters to Help the Victims of the Tohoku district - off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake
Confirming Safety of Operated Vessels
March 11 SOSC confirmed the damage status of each vessel immediately after the earthquake
Immediately following the earthquake, all relevant personnel were assembled at MOL's Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC). The center, which is normally engaged in year-round, 24-hour monitoring of the position and movement of operated vessels and in providing information on abnormal weather, piracy and terrorism to individual vessels and other related parties, quickly went about confirming the safety of operated vessels and providing tsunami information. Vessels operated by MOL were not involved in any serious marine incidents resulting from the earthquake or the subsequent tsunami.
Verifying the Safety of Employees
We immediately verified the safety and well-being of all employees of MOL, their families and all employees of Group companies.
Earthquake Response Manual
March 11 Blankets handed out to employees unable to get home and forced to stay overnight at the office
MOL has an established disaster and earthquake response manual and had been prepared for an emergency. At the head office building, we temporarily shut down the elevators and confirmed safety. On the day of the earthquake, most of the trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area stopped running, so many employees stayed the night at our offices. Bedding, blankets and food supplies had been prepared in advance for this possibility.
Group-level Support for Disaster Region
The MOL Group is conducting activities to help support the victims and to assist in the recovery of the disaster-stricken region. Our main activities are as follows:
Transporting JSDF Vehicles and Troops by Ferry
March 17 Sunflower Sapporo loading JSDF vehicles at the port of Tomakomai
Group company MOL Ferry Co., Ltd. transported some 3,700 Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) troops and 1,260 emergency vehicles for providing relief to the disaster-stricken region. 4 ferries made a total of 10 trips from the port of Tomakomai to the port of Aomori from March 13 to March 22.
MOL Press Release:
MOL Ferry Helps Transport JSDF Personnel, Vehicles
Free Emergency Support for Relief Supplies
March 31 Loading relief supplies at the Ohi Logistics Center
Immediately after the earthquake, there were severe shortages of food and daily necessities in the disaster region. Drawing on our group network and transport capabilities, MOL procured relief supplies and delivered them free of charge to customers and municipalities in areas affected by the disaster. As of April 8, we had procured and delivered 19 10-ton truck loads of supplies to the stricken areas.
MOL Press Release:
MOL Group Companies Transport Aid Supplies to Quake-stricken Areas
Free Transport of Relief Supplies from Abroad
Responding to requests for transport of relief supplies from overseas, MOL provided free transport services for supplies sent from other countries. We have transported the equivalent of 32 20-foot containers filled with drinking water, bedding, masks and other supplies to the disaster region (as of June 30, 2011) free of charge, as well as large quantities of building materials for temporary housing at special rates.
MOL Press Release:
MOL Extends Period to Transport Aid Supplies from Overseas
Donations for Disaster Relief
- MOL donated a total of ¥50 million for immediate disaster relief to Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture and the Japanese Red Cross Society.
- Donations were solicited from executives, employees and seafarers in the MOL Group, and a total of approximately ¥63 million was raised and donated for relief and recovery efforts to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Central Community Chest of Japan.
MOL Press Release:
MOL Raises ¥55 Million to Assist Rescue and Relief Efforts
Cruise Ship Fuji Maru Supports Relief Efforts
April 11 The Fuji Maru arrives at the port of Ofunato
From April 11 to April 17, MOL arranged for the ocean-going cruise ship Fuji Maru to call in at several ports in Iwate Prefecture that were severely damaged by the tsunami: Ofunato, Kamaishi and Miyako. The Fuji Maru provided nutritionally-balanced meals for victims, a large public bath and private space in the form of cabins free of charge. A total of 4,451 people used these amenities.
MOL Press Release:
Update report on Cruise Ship Fuji Maru Calls at Ports in Iwate Prefecture
Providing an extensive variety of meals
April 17 Being seen off at the port of Miyako by the local people
Ongoing Initiatives Through Our Main Business
The Great East Japan Earthquake has had a major impact on business activities and daily living in the form of energy shortages, causing increasing demand for petroleum products and alternative energy sources like liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal. Moreover, drinking water, housing materials and other supplies are being imported in large quantities. As one of the largest shipping companies in the world with a diverse fleet of LNG carriers, crude oil and petrochemical product tankers, dry bulkers, containerships and more, MOL has worked since the earthquake to meet this transport demand. We will continue contributing to recovery and new growth through our main business-transporting resources, energy sources and products for Japan and other countries around the world.
