Top Page > Information > MOL Chairman Receives the National Award of Excellence of the Republic of Paraguay - Recognizing MOL's Cooperation in Transport of Fire Engines to Paraguay -

MOL Chairman Receives the National Award of Excellence of the Republic of Paraguay
- Recognizing MOL's Cooperation in Transport of Fire Engines to Paraguay -

March 18, 2024

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that on March 11, 2024, H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay, Mr. Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, during a visit to Japan, awarded MOL Chairman Junichiro Ikeda the "Don Jose Falcon" National Award of Excellence in recognition of his role in MOL's transportation of fire engines to the country (Note 1).

From left to right, H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay Mr. Ruben Ramirez Lezcano,
the President of Japan Firefighters Association Mr. Toshifumi Akimoto, MOL Chairman Junichiro Ikeda,
H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Japan Mr. Raul Florentin Antola

The Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Japan mediates the donation of fire engines from the Japan Firefighters Association to Paraguayan volunteer firefighting organizations, and MOL has been cooperating with the donations by providing marine transportation of the vehicles. Since 2010, the company has transported 133 vehicles on a total of 19 occasions.

These vehicles have contributed greatly to the rescue infrastructure in the event of natural disasters and accidents in Paraguay. The President of Firefighters Association, Mr. Toshifumi Akimoto was also presented with the award at the same time, further underscoring the friendly relationship between the two countries.

Engines transported to Paraguay

In his award reception speech, Chairman Ikeda expressed his respect and gratitude to the Republic of Paraguay, the Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Japan, and the Japan Firefighters Association, as well as his commitment to continually contributing to Paraguayan society through this transport service.

MOL will continue to proactively engage in corporate citizenship activities unique to a shipping company with a global network.

(Note 1)
For information on MOL's past cooperation in transport of fire engines to Paraguay, please refer to the September 14, 2023, press release: MOL Transports Fire Engines to Paraguay -Drawing upon its Global Network to Implement a Corporate Citizenship Activity-


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