MAKATI CITY, The Philippines, March 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group (SNTG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen S.A., announced today an initiative to provide its seafarers and their families with a comprehensive health program to address their health and related needs.
SNTG has long recognized that innovative and proactive crew management strategies are key to the company's continuing success. In partnership with one of the largest and most stable health maintenance organizations (HMO) in the Philippines, PhilamCare Health Systems, Inc. (PhilamCare), SNTG has designed a responsive health program that includes the following:
-- A comprehensive preventive care program designed to keep
its members healthy through a combination of education
on health practices, prompt recognition of potential
health issues, state-of-the-art diagnostics and
consultation practices. Ultimately, the goal of the
program is to keep seafarers and their families healthy
knowing that the essence of healthcare is not merely to
cure an already sick person but to keep a person healthy.
-- A comprehensive curative program that covers expenses
incurred while in the hospital, including hospital fees;
room and board, physicians and surgeons fees, medicines
while confined, diagnostic procedures and all other
hospital services, subject to the limits of the plan.
-- An annual physical examination (APE) program that aims
to ensure a proactive recognition of conditions that may
require intervention before a disease or illness progresses
to a stage requiring active medical intervention. The
APE is a critical component to keeping both the program
and its members financially viable through preventive
measures that help to keep medical expenses from spiraling
beyond control.
As a financial program designed to keep its members healthy while defraying costs to restore their health, the SNTG healthcare program in partnership with PhilamCare underscores SNTG's commitment to the long-term welfare of its seafarers. It also presents both SNTG and its seafarers with a platform for sustaining mutually beneficial relationships.
The healthcare component is a part of SNTG's total welfare program, which includes providing insurance for all seafarers and their families.
About Stolt-Nielsen S.A.
Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (the "Company") is one of the world's leading providers of transportation services for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids, and other specialty liquids. The Company, through the parcel tanker, tank container, terminal, rail and barge services of its wholly-owned subsidiary Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group, provides integrated transportation for its customers. Stolt Sea Farm, wholly owned by the Company, produces and markets high quality turbot and Southern bluefin tuna.