Takenori Igarashi, newly appointed President & CEO of “K” Line, addressed employees at the company’s Tokyo headquarters, outlining his strategic vision against the backdrop of rapid global change.
Key Themes of the Address
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Global Disruptions: Igarashi highlighted the volatile geopolitical climate (notably in the Middle East and Ukraine), evolving trade and energy policies, and rising tariffs and port fees impacting global shipping.
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Technological Shift: He underscored the growing impact of decarbonization technologies, digital transformation, and generative AI on the shipping industry.
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Workforce & Collaboration Challenges: He acknowledged human resource shortages and the need for cross-industry collaboration.
Progress & Continuity
He praised the foundation laid by former CEO Yukikazu Myochin, particularly progress on the five-year medium-term management plan (launched May 2022), which aims to turn climate and technological shifts into business opportunities.
Business Highlights by Segment
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Coal & Iron Ore Carriers: Strengthening client relationships in Asia and the Middle East with a focus on eco-conscious customer service.
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Car Carrier Business: Expanding eco-friendly fleet, reorganizing routes, and boosting High & Heavy cargo handling to meet changing customer needs.
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LNG Carrier Business: Scaling up the fleet from 46 to 65 ships by FY2026, expanding into Southeast Asia and India, in addition to core markets.
Innovation & New Ventures
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Northern Lights Project (Norway): Launching ship management for liquefied CO₂ transport vessels, supporting carbon capture goals.
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Geological Survey Vessel: Launched in Japan in 2023 to support offshore wind power development.
Company Overview
Founded in 1919, “K” Line is a global maritime leader in dry bulk, car carrier, LNG, and container shipping, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and technological innovation.
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Source: “K” Line
