Japan is set to deliver a unique financial aid package next year to support the environmental and economic recovery of Mauritius following the disastrous fuel-oil spill caused by the 207,000-dwt bulk carrier Wakashio (built 2007).
It is part of a public and privative partnership between a Japanese overseas development aid agency and Mitsui OSK Lines, charterer of the Wakashio.
Speaking at an online seminar held by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation — a Japanese charitable organisation with strong connections to the country's maritime industries — MOL's planning department manager Mitsuru Fukushima said it was his company's “social responsibility” to assist in the clean-up.
“We couldn’t say ‘we are just the vessel’s charterer, so this has nothing to do with us’,” Fukushima said. “The world will not allow us to say that.”
Outlining progress, Fukushima said an application for aid is being made to Japanese government ministries for an unspecified sum. The hope is that the proposed package will be cleared in next spring’s national budget and available from the summer.
The funding will be aimed at restoring environmental damage caused to the island’s coastline, mangroves and coral reefs. Pollution from the ship affected approximately 5% of the island’s coastline.
Further funds will be directed towards the economic impact of the spill, which affected the country’s fishing and tourism industries.
- The bulk carrier Wakashio (built 2007) spilled more than 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil following its grounding on the eastern coast of the island in July.
- The forward section of the vessel broke away and was scuttled at sea. The remaining stern section is stuck aground. It is to be removed by Chinese salvage company Lianyungang Dali Underwater Engineering.
- The wreck removal is expected to be completed by next spring and is being coordinated by Japan P&I Club and Nagashiki Shipping.
- The master of the Wakashio has been arrested and held by the Mauritius police since August. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
The recovery programme appears to be mostly aimed at covering some of the third-party liability claims that would normally be met by the vessel’s owner, in this case Nagashiki Shipping, and its protection and indemnity insurer the Japan P&I Club.
Issues around Mauritius’ failure to ratify changes to the international limitation of liability conventions has severely limited the amount of money the country can receive in compensation.
Normally a charterer has no legal or financial liability for marine casualties of this type.
But in this case MOL — one of the largest shipping companies in the world — has stepped forward along with the Japanese government.
Social responsibility
MOL has sent about 20 people to Mauritius, established a liaison office and is working alongside the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government-backed organisation which has the job of enacting the country’s overseas aid projects.
Fukushima said MOL and JICA are trying to find the best way to coordinate as a public private partnership to help Mauritius’ environmental and economic recovery.
Human aspect is important
“The environment is important, but the human aspect is also very important,” he said, emphasising the need to expand the aid project to the island's economy and society.
Fukushima said the idea is to apply for aid on an annual basis from the Japanese government to meet Mauritius’ needs at the time.
He said MOL’s commitment to the project could run for up to eight to 10 years.
JICA said the mangroves and coral reefs of Mauritius could take between 10 and 30 years to recover.
