AAL launches "Get Onboard" initiative to offer charities worldwide free carriage in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
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!’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is being launched today 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."
Panayides 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 and disability, welfare and hunger / poverty, community service, educational, animal protection, etc."
"We have a fleet of multipurpose heavy lift ships operating nonstop 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 (shipper owned container) cargo free of freight charge no matter how long the journey."
"It’s our privilege to try and help."
'Get Onboard!' is being officially launched today and AAL will be circulating details and terms and 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.
About AAL
AAL is one of the world’s leading breakbulk and heavy lift project cargo operators, offering a unique ‘total multipurpose solution’ of flexible and competitive Chartering, Liner, and Semi-Liner services for its customers – connecting Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Established in 1995 and marking its 25th anniversary in 2020, the company operates the multipurpose sector’s youngest fleet of modern multipurpose heavy lift vessels (ranging from 19,000 to 33,000 dwt), offering extreme heavy-lift capability (700mt max), with leading intake capacity.
A single-minded focus on customer service and quality has led AAL to become the world’s most awarded MPV carrier. In 2016, it won multiple awards, including top honours at the Global Freight Awards in London and the 21st Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards in Sydney. Early 2017, AAL won the AFLAS ‘Best Shipping Line – Project Cargo’ award (for an unprecedented fourth time) and followed it up in October with top ‘Project Carrier’ honours at the Lloyd’s List Asia Pacific Awards.
In 2018, AAL won the AFLAS award again and honoured within the ‘Excellence in Bulk Logistics or Heavy Lift Handling’ category at the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards 2018. In 2019, AAL followed up its previous successes with ‘Shipping Line of The Year’ at the prestigious Heavy Lift Awards and ‘Best Shipping line – Project Cargo’ at the AFLAS Awards.
Source: AAL