The Free Wheelchair Mission, a non-profit organization based in Costa Mesa, California, manufactures and provides free wheelchairs to people who live "on the ground" in developing countries worldwide.

Thirty years ago on a trip to Morocco, Free Wheelchair Mission founder Don Schoendorfer witnessed a disabled woman dragging herself along a dirt road. The image of that woman stayed with him and 20 years later he put his PhD in biomedical engineering to a more philanthropic use, founding the Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM).

"In America we don't know what it is to see people dragging themselves over rocks because they can't afford a wheelchair," Schoendorfer recounted to People magazine in a 2004 interview, "but it's a way of life for millions of people."

Based on Schoendorfer's designs (combining inexpensive garden furniture and mountain bike tires), the FWM can build a wheelchair for approximately $30. Factoring in shipping costs and import duties, this durable wheelchair can be produced and delivered to someone in need for less than $50.

The wheelchairs are produced in Shanghai, China, but need to be delivered around the globe. That's where MOL comes in. CEO Brett Trowbridge, contacted MOL to request that they be allowed to hitch a ride across the Pacific on one of our ships. In August 2006, the MOL Confidence delivered its first FWM container to the Port of Los Angeles. Since then, three more containers, and nearly 1,700 wheelchairs, have been delivered free of charge on behalf of the mission.

Once the chairs reach the United States, they are distributed through organizations like Direct Relief International and Convoy of Hope. These organizations arrange for the unloading and shipment of the wheelchairs to countries in need. Convoy of Hope recently sent 150 of "our" chairs to Tajikistan and another container's worth will soon be trucked to Mexico.

Limited Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret, Express, and Bath & Body Works, owns and operates more than 4,000 stores in the United States.

Rayonier has been a leader and innovator in the forest products industry since 1926. It's now the fifth largest private timberland owner in the United States, supplying timber, high-value specialty cellulose fibers, and wood products to customers in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Distinguished Service Provider and Carrier of the Year awards are presented to the transportation carrier that, in addition to offering reliable cargo delivery and customer service, also offers results oriented solutions. These awards acknowledge our contributions in helping Limited Brands and Rayonier achieve their goals.

According to Mark McQueen, Southeast Gulf Regional Sales Manager (Atlanta), our strong partnership with Rayonier was just as important as how we performed.

• Savings in operating costs
  
• Reduced fuel consumption per container by two-thirds vs. trucking
  
• Benefits to our environmental initiatives to take trucks off the road
  
• Reducing congestion and pollution
  
• Support of Columbus, OH intermodal expansion projects

As reported in The Florida Times-Union, those in attendance included Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, Jaxport Executive Director Rick Ferrin, and Jacksonville Port Authority Chairman Tony Nelson.

The construction of Jacksonville's fourth marine terminal will provide "the first major direct connection for containerized cargo from Asia," the paper reported, and is "expected to put Jacksonville on the international trade map."

"It was my first time fly-fishing," says Suzuki-san, "and I managed to catch a 26-inch trout."

The Starnet Rules Engine knows all of this and much more.

In 2006, MOL-IT introduced the Starnet Rules Engine application, a flexible tool that allows for the entry of business rules, restrictions in particular, related to booking, documentation, invoicing, and freight cashiering functions.

Developed and supported by the team at MOL-IT Kolkata, the Starnet Rules Engine has become invaluable in helping to define booking restrictions.

According to Dick Craig, VP for Network Planning and Yield Management, "The Rules Engine is just that, a tool to ensure that the rules are being followed. We offer so many diverse services that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to commit all the different port restrictions to memory. By defining these restrictions to the Rules Engine, we not only make certain that the rules are being followed but we're also improving safety and reliability by avoiding potential issues caused by the improper acceptance of cargo."

What others are saying:

"MOL-IT Kolkata team has been wonderful. They've built a great tool for us and do a great job supporting our Rules Engine efforts." Ann Elleflot - Business Re-Engineering Director

"The Rules Engine helps to ensure that we do not accept bookings that are undesirable due to any number of circumstances. MOL-IT Kolkata team has been extremely supportive and they have my thanks." Fran Doss, Manager - Customer Service (Seattle)