OREANDA-NEWS. November 20, 2012.   Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced that the MOL Group seafarer manning company Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc. (MMM) held a long-service commendation ceremony for Filipino seafarers on November 16 in Manila, the Philippines, and hosted a gathering for seafarers' families the following day.

Commendations went to seafarers with about 20 years of service aboard MOL-operated vessels. Eighty-one mariners received the award this year, and about 120 people including their families were on hand for the ceremony. MOL Chairman Akimitsu Ashida cited their long service with MOL and urged a renewed focus on their efforts to ensure safe operations.

"I am proud to serve on an MOL-operated vessel. I continually contribute to safe operation with a sense of responsibility. Thanks to MOL, MMM, and my family," said one recipient upon receiving his award. And another recipient's family member said, "My husband's career was built by MOL. I’m proud of him as he does his best aboard, feels his work is well worth doing, and is deeply appreciative of the company."

The seafarer family gathering, held at an amusement complex in Manila, drew over 4,000 people, mainly family members of company employees. Chairman Ashida expressed his gratitude for the families' understanding and support of MOL seafarers and said Filipino mariners will play an increasingly important role in the company's future growth and success.

"I look forward to the family gathering every year," said one family member. "I am very grateful for MMM as they treat families, who wait patiently while their family members are out at sea, as their own family."

MOL will continue to hold such gatherings in other cities in the Philippines and other major seafarer source nations to create stronger ties between MOL and seafarers' families.

Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc. is an MOL seafarer manning company in Manila. It was jointly established by MOL and its partner in the Philippines, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, in March 1997.