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What is the Role of Companies in Society?Commitment to Support Mauritius

  • Eco Friendly

2025.01.31

After the accident off the coast of Mauritius, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) reevaluated the role it should play as a company and has been actively involved in environmental conservation and support for local communities. The company established a support fund worth approximately 800 million yen, aiming to protect the beautiful natural environment and contribute to local society. This initiative has become a catalyst for MOL to advance its social contribution efforts to a new phase.

Supported by the Voices of Local Residents: “Thank you for coming from afar”

“When we arrived at the airport, got in the car, and started driving along the coastline, we saw workers dressed in Tyvek suits collecting the oil-covered fuel that had washed ashore. I was at a loss for words when I saw that scene,” says  Mr.Kazuhiko Sugano, who participated in the emergency support activities as a member of the third delegation following the grounding accident of the cargo ship WAKASHIO off the coast of Mauritius in July 2020. Mr. Sugano is now the representative of the local subsidiary MOL (Mauritius) Ltd.

“The people of Mauritius, despite likely having mixed feelings as victims, welcomed us warmly, saying, ‘Thank you for coming all the way for us,’ which was very encouraging. I still remember vividly feeling that no matter the reason, such a beautiful place should never be polluted by oil,” recalls Mr. Sugano.

MOL (Mauritius) Ltd Managing Director 菅野 一彦

MOL (Mauritius) Ltd Managing Director, Mr. Kazuhiko Sugano

What followed were intense days. MOL established MOL (Mauritius) Ltd and provided around 100 million yen as direct donations to domestic research institutions and several local NGOs for prompt damage assessment, and another 100 million yen to cover the costs associated with and the establishment of the local subsidiary. Additionally, approximately 800 million yen was allocated to a fund supporting projects for environmental conservation, restoration, and community contribution. Initially, the company planned to establish a “public trust” in Japan, but realizing that the process would take time, they first set up the “MOL Charitable Trust” in Mauritius to allow for more responsive actions, and later established the public trust. These two funds eventually took on different roles: the Authorized Public Trust MOL Mauritius International Fund for Natural Environment Recovery and Sustainability (henceforth “public trust”) “supports large-scale and long-term (1–5 years) projects,” while the MOL Charitable Trust “supports small-scale, short-term (1-year), urgent projects and pre-projects”. Furthermore, these funds were set up not only to support the recovery and conservation of the natural environment but also to improve the lives of people affected by the oil spill as well as empower women in the community.

TheTrust

“The reason we chose to support through a fund was to ensure that the selection of support recipients followed a fair and transparent process,” Mr. Sugano explains.

Reflecting on Our Role

Initially, it was not easy to find experts or NGOs in the various fields.
“As someone working in the shipping industry, I considered myself knowledgeable about ships. However, when it came to mangroves, corals, and even birds, I had no idea where to begin. I realized that we needed to find the right people and communities to talk to in order to solve the problem. Immediately after the accident, we sought the cooperation of experts in various fields who were dispatched by the Japanese government as the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Team. In Mauritius, we also received support from the Japanese Embassy, local companies in Mauritius, as well as Japanese companies based there, allowing us to build relationships with influential NGOs,” says Mr. Sugano.

マングローブ_サンゴ_鳥

As a result, the steering committee of the MOL Charitable Trust included several Mauritians, such as business leaders, climate change/environmental protection experts, and linguists/historians. Meanwhile, the steering committee of the public trust included experts who had visited the site as part of the JDR team at the time. Even now, grant selections are made with reference to their opinions.

On the other hand, what is considered to have contributed to the local community was the presence of the local subsidiary, MOL (Mauritius) Ltd, which was established just three months after the accident. The slogan set at the time of its establishment was “NOU AVEC ZOT”. This phrase, in Creole, means “We are always with you.” Although English is the official language in Mauritius, most newspapers are published in French, and daily conversations are often conducted in Creole, a slightly modified version of French. By using the language most familiar to the local people, MOL sent a strong message: “We are always with you.”

 

MOL for Maurutius TimeLine_revise

“It’s difficult to sum up what we gained from establishing a local subsidiary in one word, but if we had only responded on a business trip basis, the local people's reactions would have been different, even if we had provided the same support. More importantly, it would have been hard to fulfill our role in the way we do now. Even now, we sometimes get asked, ‘Why go so far when there is no legal obligation?’ But being here allows us to earn trust and hear and see things firsthand, and I believe that importance will remain unchanged in the future,” Mr. Sugano reflects.

Striving to Support Sustainable Initiatives Beyond Temporary Measures

Four years have passed since the accident, and the support activities through the respective funds have entered their third year. The support initiatives are largely divided into two main areas: activities related to the recovery and conservation of natural environments and ecosystems, primarily focusing on mangroves, coral reefs, and wild birds (environmental conservation activities), and activities aimed at the development of local communities in Mauritius, focusing on fisheries, tourism, culture, regional development, and education, etc. (social contribution activities). Currently, multiple projects in both areas are progressing smoothly.

To highlight a few main initiatives, starting with mangroves: Fortunately, there have been no significant visible damages detected, and long-term monitoring by a reliable NGO continues. For us, the annual project report indicating “no changes” is the best news. In addition, in line with the “Build Back Better” concept for improved recovery, we actively support NGOs involved in new reforestation efforts.

マングローブ林の調査イメージ-1Mangrove forest survey by a local NGO

As for coral reefs, the impact of the oil spill was not as severe as initially feared. However, we have continued to support NGOs working on projects that set up nurseries to grow corals that were moved to safe areas and return them to their original locations. Currently, corals that have grown are being returned to their original habitat. New initiatives include supporting groups focused on capacity building for Mauritian researchers, such as providing analysis equipment and teaching analysis methods. This has already led to the discovery of coral species more resistant to climate change, and projects involving local communities and businesses in the tourism sector are underway. We hope that these efforts in Mauritius will eventually serve as a global model for coral conservation.

On the other hand, an essential part of the activities for the development of the local community was to support the people whose livelihoods were most severely affected by the accident, those who have made their livelihoods through fishing. One such effort is the support provided to a Japanese university research group working on developing the blue economy to improve their living standards.

“This research group taught local fishers advanced and efficient fish handling techniques such as ‘shinkei-jime’ and proper freshness management. In some areas, fish were sold at roadside markets without any freshness management, under the scorching sun. Without ice boxes, flies swarmed around the fish, and unsold fish had to be discarded by the end of the day. By learning these freshness management techniques, the fishers can extend the shelf life of their catch and increase its economic value, to achieve the goal of improving their living standards. Moreover, if this knowledge spreads throughout the community, there should be less need for excessive fishing, and we hope that this project will develop into something meaningful from the perspective of marine resource conservation,” says Mr. Sugano.

モーリシャスの市場で売られている魚のイメージ

 

Just as with environmental conservation activities, social contribution activities have also focused on supporting sustainable initiatives rather than temporary measures. Other efforts include supporting NGOs that provide skills training programs such as literacy, baking, and sewing for Mauritian women, many of whom have relied on fisheries and tourism for their livelihood and faced economic hardship due to COVID-19 and the accident. These programs promote educational opportunities and social participation for women. As the response to environmental recovery has settled to a certain extent, these trends have become even more prominent.

Our Role as an Organizers Revealed Through Ongoing Support

So, what impact have we, who have consciously kept some distance from the selection process, made on the people of Mauritius beyond providing funding? It can be said that our contribution has been facilitating connections among experts from different fields, sparking a fusion of knowledge, and creating opportunities for new projects to emerge.

“Before we came here, I heard that it was very rare for groups working on mangrove conservation to share information with groups focused on coral reef conservation. This is because for organizations that rely on donations and funds, groups working in related areas were often seen as competitors. However, when the absolute goal is environmental conservation of coastal ecosystems as in this case, everything is connected- mountains, rivers, and the sea- so vertical collaboration is crucial. We saw great value in having them engage in discussions together,” says Mr. Sugano.

With this in mind, we began regularly holding workshops and report meetings to bring together the members of the NGOs we support. Gradually, interactions became more active, and collaborations that created new value started to emerge in various places. This approach is also essential for balancing regional development with environmental conservation. In practice, NGOs focused on environmental conservation and those engaged in social contribution activities have worked together to create integrated programs that educate children about the environment and raise awareness among local communities.

異なるNGOのメンバーが集まりワークショップしている様子_2
Workshop Gatherings of NGO Members from Diverse Fields

“This position as an ‘organizer’ wasn’t something we initially planned. Rather, it naturally became part of our role as we reflected on what we should be doing and continued our activities here. Recently, we have had more and more opportunities to be asked to play such a role by the local people, and we are very happy about that,” Mr. Sugano reflects.

In 2022, there was a Mauritius Cruise experience on the cruise ship NIPPON MARU, with optional tours that gained significant attention locally. The tours featured programs by NGOs supported through our fund, such as guided mangrove walks and visits to social welfare facilities.

Ms. Kanako Ota from the Environment & Sustainability Strategy Division said, “This time, the schedule included a relatively long four-day stay in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. During the docking period, passengers were offered a variety of experiences such as sightseeing tours and visiting NGO-operated facilities. The visits to social welfare facilities were very well-received, showcasing the high level of awareness among cruise ship guests toward social contribution activities. Mauritius is a place where you can feel the beautiful nature up close, with its turquoise blue sea and rich mangrove forests. It’s far from Japan, but I hope more people in Japan come to appreciate the charm of Mauritius.”


The Impact “Stepping In” in Mauritius had on the Company Afterwards

The “safe operation of ships” has always been an important issue for MOL, which serves as part of the social infrastructure in the shipping industry. In that sense, the WAKASHIO accident in 2020 was a significant event that threatened to shake the foundation of our business. The unforeseen challenge came at a time when MOL Group as a whole was striving to strengthen sustainability management. It forced the company to acknowledge the impact that shipping accidents can have on the natural environment and local communities, and it provided an opportunity for all employees to personally reflect on the roles that the company and its people should play in such situations.

“This may have been one of the most important realizations we gained from what was often described as a ‘stepping in response’ to accidents,” Mr. Sugano remarks. The sense of responsibility among charterers to take thorough measures to prevent recurrence became naturally widespread within the company- something that was previously uncommon.

“Ever since that day, there have been numerous opportunities to revisit and reflect on the accident within the company, and I believe that experience changed the awareness and understanding of each employee,” says Mr. Ayumu Nagashima of the Environment & Sustainability Strategy Division, which was established in April 2021 as part of the effort to strengthen the company’s sustainability initiatives.

The change in individual awareness had various impacts on the company as a whole. For instance, one significant development following the accident was a review of the value chain. In the past, ships that had completed their operational life were sold in favour of financial considerations, without receiving extensive care afterward. Now, MOL has set our own standards not only for safe conditions and the prevention of environmental pollution, but also human rights and working conditions for demolition work at ship recycling yards, which is addressed via the screening of ship recycling yards through the survey of documentation, regulations, policies, interviews, and on-site inspections. The company reassesses our “social role & responsibility” and, rather than relying solely on regulations or third parties, works proactively to fulfill our role and responsibilities to our partners and stakeholders from a position of a company who has a “choice”.

“Just as remote work and web meetings became the norm due to COVID-19, since the accident, reflecting on the ‘role the company should play’ has become natural at MOL. Along with that, the speed and quality of discussions within the company regarding social contribution, sustainability, and the value chain have greatly improved,” Mr. Sugano explains.

Spreading the Lessons Learned in Mauritius to Other Regions

“We have continued to hold an event called ‘WAKASHIO Memorial Day’ every year since the accident, but this year, we renewed it as ‘Thinking about Social Contribution.’ Through this new event, we aim to not only share our initiatives in Mauritius within the group but also use the lessons we learned there to explore what we can do moving forward,” says Mr. Nagashima.

In March 2024, the company also conducted an on-site training program titled “MOL Group On-site Training in Mauritius” for young employees from domestic and international group companies. Ms. Moeka Ito of the Environment & Sustainability Strategy Division, who participated as part of the training program’s admin staff, shared: “The training included a visit to the site of the grounding accident, visits to projects supported by our fund, and workshops with local companies focused on sustainability. It was a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the importance of safe operations and marine conservation while experiencing firsthand the significance of tackling sustainability challenges.”

モーリシャス研修の様子

Training in Mauritius

In recent years, MOL Group has positioned sustainability as a core part of its management strategy. The Environment & Sustainability Strategy Division has been focusing its activities on key areas, including “Marine Environment” (protecting marine ecosystems and preventing marine pollution), “Next-generation Human Resources Development” (providing maritime education opportunities, etc.), and “Addressing Local Community Challenges ” (addressing challenges in areas related to MOL's business and supporting disaster or conflict-affected regions). The role companies should play evolves with the times. Responding to changes and sometimes proactively shifting awareness are among the essential roles a company must fulfill.

環境サステナビリティ戦略部メンバー

From the left, Social Contribution Advancement Team, Environment & Sustainability Strategy Division, Ms. Moeka Ito, Ms. Kanako Ota, Mr. Ayumu Nagashima

サンゴ水槽

Currently, on the first floor of the Toranomon HQ building, there is an aquarium designed to resemble the waters of Mauritius, where you can see species of coral and fish that actually live in the waters of Mauritius.

 

(This article is based on interviews conducted in September 2024.)

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