Mitsui O.S.K. to spend 1 bil. yen for Mauritius oil cleanup

TOKYO, Sept. 11 Kyodo - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. said Friday it will spend about 1 billion yen ($9.4 million) on measures to support Mauritius after an oil spill from a grounded Japanese freighter, including setting up an 800 million yen fund to clean up the environment. The contribution over several years will cover projects for coral reef recovery and mangrove protection in and around the Indian Ocean island nation, the company said. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, which operates the ship, said in a statement that it will "continually engage in efforts to resolve the situation in Mauritius and restore the environment in cooperation with authorities in Mauritius and Japan, other concerned parties around the world and the ship-owner." The funding from the Japanese firm also includes a total of around 100 million yen in donations to local nongovernmental organizations engaged in relief efforts and funds established by the government of Mauritius and the United Nations, it said. The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping Co. of Japan, was carrying about 3,800 tons of fuel oil when it ran aground on July 25. It leaked more than 1,000 tons of oil. Nagashiki will also make a contribution to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' environmental fund, the latter said. ==Kyodo