Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced that the MOL-operated wood chip carrier Pro Grace arrived at Minamihama No.1 Pier in the Port of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, which was recently rebuilt after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Eight months after the disaster, the Pro Grace is the first wood chip carrier to call at Ishinomaki.
The Ishinomaki Plant of Nippon Paper Group is the company’s main plant, and sustained severe damage in the March 11 quake. Because paper production has been gradually resuming in stages since September, and production of kraft pulp is scheduled to restart in mid-December, Nippon Paper Group resumed import of wood chips.
By ensuring a stable supply of raw materials through its worldwide ocean transport services, MOL continues to work toward reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.
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World Maritime News Staff, December 1, 2011