MOL holding safety conferences for seafarers

MOL holding safety conferences for seafarers Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. is this week holding safety conferences for seafarers in Mumbai and Manila, the Japanese-based ocean carrier said Tuesday.
   The conferences are part of an MOL Group-wide effort to reinforce the safe operation management structure in the wake of several accidents involving MOL vessels in 2006.
   MOL Deputy President Hidehiro Harada and marine management division staff responsible for marine safety attended the conferences, inviting 60 to 100 MOL Group seafarers to each session for an in-depth explanation of the new safety program. They also exchanged opinions with seafarers on improving the safety of MOL Group fleet operations. A third conference is slated for Zadar, Croatia on Jan. 30.
   MOL Group-operated vessels were involved in a succession of serious marine accidents since April 2006. Under the direction of President Ashida, MOL has returned to basics of safe operation and formulated steps to reinforce its safe operation management structure, making safety the company's top priority, the company said in a statement.
   'These moves are intended to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents as well as address various other risks and ensure an appropriate response,' the statement said. 'All MOL and MOL Group management and employees are united in their efforts to build up the group's safety structure, and direct communication with seafarers will play a vital role in fulfilling MOL's social responsibilities on 'safe operation and environmental protection,' as stated in the MOL Group corporate philosophy.'