NYK Group to Commence Support Including Free Transport to Countries Affected by the Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
January 7, 2005
NYK Group has actively implemented gratuitous transport services, centering on transport by ship, of aid commodities for victims of the recent earthquake that occurred off north Sumatra, Indonesia and the subsequent tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
NYK's local affiliates and related companies in the Asian region have already begun free-of-charge transport of aid commodities. On January 5, 2005, the NYK container vessel "SHIMANAMI" transported containers of aid supplies such as food and drinking water from Singapore to Jakarta, Indonesia at no charge. In addition, its affiliate company, Yusen Air Service, also conducted charge-free transport of aid goods equivalent to a total of 13 units of cargo containers from Singapore to Jakarta and Colombo, Sri Lanka. In terms of countries outside the Asian region, NYK has been requested to transport more than 100 units of 20-foot containers and accordingly intends to fulfill this request at no charge.
*The current arrangements for free-of-charge transport cover commodities that can be collected in the container yard at the shipping site by the end of January. After that date, we will review the period of gratuitous transportation according to the situation at that time. For the purpose of delivering surely and promptly to victims in the disaster areas, this transport is limited to the aid commodities required by international rescue and charity organizations approved by each government.*
In addition to this gratuitous transport, NYK has decided to contribute JPY 10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Further, NYK Group companies worldwide will make an appeal to staff for donations and will apply matching funds.
The total amount of aid by the NYK Group currently is estimated at approximately JPY100 million. For this enormous natural disaster, our group, which performs an important role as a major transport company in the Asian area, will provide powerful support by utilizing our sea, air and land transportation modes in the most effective way in cooperation together with all group companies.
The deadline for the free-of charge transport will be extended. Free-of-charge rule will be applied for all goods collected at the yard to be shipped from the origin port until the end of March 2005. However please note that the application for the free-of-charge transport must be accepted by the regional contact party by the end of February.
The detail of the gratuitous transport