AAL is offering cargo transport, free of freight charge, to registered charities worldwide needing to transport vital goods and equipment internationally and suffering the financial effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic and mounting economic pressure on charities to maintain their vital support of worthy causes, AAL – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – is offering these organisations cargo transport on its global fleet to and from any port on its scheduled sailings, free of freight charge. AAL’s ‘Get Onboard!’ CSR initiative was launched yesterday for an indefinite period and will consider any registered charity worldwide regardless of the chosen cause.
Kyriacos Panayides, Managing Director of AAL, explained, ‘The virus pandemic has taken its toll on not just the shipping sector but businesses and organisations everywhere – devastating supply chains and pressuring financial performance. This is especially true of charities, who rely on the goodwill of individual and institutional donors to get help. Unfortunately, widespread job losses, social distancing regulations and the global economic downturn means they are losing much needed support and revenue. This, in turn, hurts the beneficiaries of their work the most.’
He added, ‘2020 is our 25th anniversary year and we unanimously agreed to harness this milestone to give something back to the communities that we serve. Get Onboard! is open to any registered charity – childrens’, environmental, health & disability, welfare and hunger / poverty, community service, educational, animal protection etc. We have a fleet of multipurpose heavy lift ships operating non-stop and carrying cargo between large and small ports in key markets across the world – Oceania, Asia, India, Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Subject to terms and conditions being met, we will carry containerised (SOC) cargo free of freight charge no matter how long the journey. It’s our privilege to try and help.’
Get Onboard! was officially launched Wednesday (Apr15) and AAL will be circulating details and terms & conditions to registered charitable organisation databases and promoting the initiative online via social media. It is also harnessing the group email aal@aalshipping.com, through which interested charities can obtain more information and be guided through the process.
Source: AAL