Japanese shipping giant partners with SMC for Pasig, Tullahan River rehab

Japanese shipping giant partners with SMC for Pasig, Tullahan River rehab
November 28, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/28/public-square/japanese-shipping-g...

SHIPPING and logistics company NYK Line of Japan has joined San Miguel Corp. (SMC) in its multibillion initiative to rehabilitate the Pasig and Tullahan-Tinajeros River systems.

NYK will donate $1.5 million over a five-year period to buy additional equipment needed for the project to undo years of toxic and waste contamination that have made these waterways among the world's biggest contributors to ocean pollution.

The donation was formalized during a virtual ceremony attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, NYK Line President Hitoshi Nagasawa and SMC President Ramon Ang.

Ang thanked Nagasawa for the support which he described as both "unexpected and meaningful," as it was the Japanese firm's way of showing its appreciation for the country of origin of many of its seafarers.

"I truly admire Mr. Nagasawa-san. NYK reached out to us, after reading about our Pasig River and Tullahan River rehabilitation efforts. They said they wanted to do something for their Filipino seafarers, to show their appreciation for their home country. So, after a meeting where they asked to hear more about our river rehabilitation projects, they decided they wanted to support it on behalf of their Filipinos crew," Ang said.

NYK President Nagasawa said, "As a global shipping and logistics company, protecting the marine environment is part of our DNA and something that we treat very seriously. ESG is the foundation for the NYK Group's aspiration to become a sustainable business entity, and we think that the project we are about to join is exactly in line with our future goals."

NYK's donation will be coursed through the San Miguel Foundation and will go toward the acquisition of additional equipment to be used for targeted river dredging and cleanup operations.

NYK is one of Japan's largest shipping firms, with operations in liner trade, air cargo transportation, logistics and bulk shipping as well as real estate. Some 70 percent of its seafarers are Filipinos.