PIL and Humanity Matters collaborate on humanitarian efforts and community uplifting in ASEAN and Middle East

Singapore, 2 March 2025 – Pacific International Lines (PIL), Singapore’s home-grown container shipping line, and Humanity Matters (HM), a Singaporean humanitarian organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on humanitarian efforts and community uplifting with focus on countries in ASEAN and the Middle East.

Since March 2024, PIL has contributed to HM’s humanitarian efforts for victims of the conflict in Gaza by providing sea freight and land logistics for five shipments of containers from Singapore to Gaza, via Aqaba, Jordan. These shipments consisted of medical supplies, water, ready-to-eat meals, and care packs for children.

Under this MoU, PIL will continue to provide HM with containers, logistics support, and shipping services to countries in Asia which are covered by the PIL network, for humanitarian relief to victims of conflict or extreme climate events. In addition, PIL and HM will also jointly explore and collaborate on initiatives to uplift and protect vulnerable communities in ASEAN countries where PIL operates, such as offering English language education, making available safe water, as well as participating in coastal protection efforts. The total value of the contributions by PIL under this three-year partnership with HM will be up to SGD$1 million.

This collaboration is also in support of the ASEAN Civilian Alliance for Regional Emergencies (ASEAN Care), which is a ground-up humanitarian nexus initiated and coordinated by HM and officially launched by Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam in August 2024.

The MoU was signed by Mr Chia Yujin, Head of Sustainability, Decarbonisation & Marine Fuels, PIL, and Ms Lee Chin Chin, Director, HM, on Sunday, 2 March 2025, at the Sree Narayana Mission (SNM) during a Buka Puasa gathering. Prime Minister of Singapore and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong was the Guest-of-Honour for the occasion, with Minister Shanmugam and Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim present at the event as well.

Prior to the Buka Puasa gathering, 300 Singaporean volunteers, including 10 employees from PIL, were at SNM packing 5,000 comfort packs for children as part of HM’s fourth relief packing effort for refugees in Gaza. PIL will transport these comfort packs and 30,000 ready-to-eat meals in two shipping containers from Singapore to Gaza, via Aqaba, making it the first sponsorship under the MoU.

Mr Lars Kastrup, CEO, PIL, said, “Our support of the relief efforts by Humanity Matters began in 2024 when we provided free shipments of supplies to the victims of conflict in the Middle East. PIL remains resolutely committed to uplifting communities in the areas we trade to. I am happy that we are expanding our partnership with Humanity Matters through this MoU, so that we can better leverage each other’s expertise and resources to develop initiatives that focuses on community impact and improve the lives of those who need it the most.”

Mr S.S. Teo, Executive Chairman, PIL, added, “As a Singapore shipping line, we are pleased to contribute to like-minded fellow Singaporean organisation Humanity Matters.  Through our engagement with them, we have witnessed first-hand how Humanity Matters works tirelessly to serve disadvantaged and vulnerable communities across Asia.  We hope that through this MoU with Humanity Matters, PIL is able to do even more for the needy in our region.”