August 31, 2006
TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced the completion of a new dormitory, which is one of the main redevelopment projects at the company's crew training center in the Philippines. An opening ceremony was held on August 30.
MOL launched the redevelopment project to further expand its crew training facilities in the Philippines. The company plans to recruit and train top-quality Filipino seafarers to meet the needs of the fleet expansion outlined in the MOL STEP mid-term management plan.
The grand opening ceremony drew more than 300 guests including VIPS such as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Cavite Governor Ireneo Maliksi, Dasmarinas Mayor Elpidio Barzaga, and Panamanian Ambassador to the Philippines Juan Felipe Pitty. Main speakers included MOL Deputy President Hidehiro Harada and representatives of Magsaysay Maritime Corporation and Fairmont Shipping, which participate in the training center expansion project.
<Reference>
More than 12,000 Filipino seafarers currently serve aboard MOL-operated vessels, accounting for about 70% the company's seagoing personnel. The company forecasts a need for about 17,000 Filipino seafarers by March 2010.
In 1993, MOL founded the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping in the Philippines with two Filipino partner companies. The Philippines supply the majority of seafarers for the world's merchant fleet. As a residential training institute for seafarer cadets, the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping offers state-of-the-art facilities and training, and has graduated excellent seafarers who meet MOL's stringent standards. More than 2,500 graduates have been employed by MOL and its partner companies, and 1,250 graduates from this school are serving on MOL-operated vessels.
MOL's activities in the Philippine are highly regarded by the Philippine government, and the company has twice received the International Employers Award from the President and the Minister of Labor and Employment in 2002 and 2005.