- FAIRFIELD-Maxwell re-enters the Japanese shipping market targeting chemical tankers, medium-range product tankers, gas carriers, and newbuildings.
- The venture, Fairfield Maritime Japan, is led by industry veteran Ryuichi Osonoe and CFO Mitsuhiro Okamoto, ensuring experienced leadership.
- The firm builds on its 68-year maritime legacy, originally founded by Keiichi Sugahara, emphasizing ship construction, ownership, and leasing.
- FAIRFIELD-Maxwell continues to operate as a diversified family investment office with interests beyond shipping.
FAIRFIELD-Maxwell is making a return to the Japanese shipping sector nearly two years after divesting its chemical tanker operations. The family investment firm has named IINO Lines veteran Ryuichi Osonoe as president to oversee the relaunch of its maritime legacy, originally established by Keiichi Sugahara 68 years ago, with a new Tokyo office focused on ship construction, ownership, and leasing, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
Fairfield-Maxwell Returns to Japanese Shipping with Experienced Leadership
The New York-based family investment firm FAIRFIELD-Maxwell has announced its renewed focus on the Japanese maritime sector, targeting chemical tankers, medium-range product tankers, gas carriers, and newbuildings through its new venture. This initiative forms part of the broader Fairfield Maritime Group, which includes the existing Marshall Islands subsidiary, Fairfield Maritime Holdings.
Tracing its shipping roots to 1957, FAIRFIELD-Maxwell was founded by Keiichi “Kay” Sugahara, who initially brokered crude oil shipments to Japan before expanding into shipbuilding and vessel leasing. Around two years ago, the company sold its subsidiary Fairfield Chemical Carriers to MOL Chemical Tankers, ending operations of a fleet that once peaked at approximately 40 stainless steel chemical tankers.
Byron Sugahara, a descendant of the founder and current board chairman, said the new venture, Fairfield Maritime Japan, will continue the Fairfield/Sugahara tradition of excellence in shipping. The operation will be led by Ryuichi Osonoe, a 40-year veteran of Iino Lines who served as director and senior managing executive officer until his retirement in 2024. Mitsuhiro Okamoto, who previously spent 13 years in finance roles at the former Fairfield Japan operation, returns as vice president and chief financial officer.
FAIRFIELD-Maxwell CEO Anthony Dowd emphasized that the experienced leadership team will guide the company’s return to the Japanese shipping market, aiming to become a preferred tonnage provider. The relaunch comes at a time when container shipping margins have fallen to their lowest levels since 2023, while tanker markets remain relatively resilient.
As a third-generation family office, FAIRFIELD-Maxwell continues to maintain diversified investments across oil and gas services, franchised business services, construction, and building materials, alongside its renewed maritime operations.
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Source: Lloyd’s List Intelligence
