日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Apr 30, 2025 (Wed)

‌【Interview】Mr. Haruki Chua, representative of Klaveness Japan, on its first anniversary and asset-light policy in dry bulker

Haruki Chua, representative of Klaveness Japan

Torvald Klaveness established its Japanese office, “Klaveness Japan,” in April last year. We spoke w ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext Torvald+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+established+its+Japanese+office%2C+%E2%80%9C%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Japan%2C%E2%80%9D+in+April+last+year.+We+spoke+with+Haruki+Chua%2C+General+Manager+of+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Japan%2C+about+the+company%E2%80%99s+first+year+of+business+activities+and+its+future+strategy+in+the+region.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-About+the+first-year+activity+of+the+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Japan%3Cbr%3EWe+consider+the+past+year+in+Japan+to+have+been+very+rewarding.+On+the+cargo+side%2C+we%E2%80%99ve+increased+the+volume+of+cargo+moving+into+Japan+with+our+existing+clients+and+successfully+maintained+stable+volumes.+We%E2%80%99ve+also+expanded+our+client+base+by+reaching+out+to+new+customers.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EA+significant+portion+of+our+Japanese+cargo+portfolio%2C+in+terms+of+ton-miles%2C+consists+of+grain+shipments.+We%E2%80%99ve+also+started+handling+more+petroleum+coke.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EIn+addition%2C+we+continue+to+deliver+coal+to+Japan%2C+supporting+the+national+power+grid+alongside+our+regular+customers.+We+also+maintain+a+steady+supply+of+food-related+cargoes+to+Japan+through+trading+houses.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EThe+Japan+office+is+also+active+in+long+term+tonnage+procurement.+Unusually+for+a+foreign+operator%2C+we+are+involved+in+long+term+tonnage+discussions+locally+in+Japan%E2%80%94something+typically+handled+by+headquarters+for+other+European+operators.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWe+believe+that+maintaining+close+relationships+with+shipowners+is+essential.+That%E2%80%99s+why+we%E2%80%99re+based+here%E2%80%94to+directly+engage+with+shipowners+in+western+Japan%2C+particularly+in+areas+like+Imabari+and+Hiroshima.+We+visit+their+offices+to+ensure+strong+and+ongoing+communication.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-About+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+group+structure%3Cbr%3E%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+is+a+pioneering+and+progressive+shipping+company+that+delivers+a+portfolio+of+physical+and+digital+freight+services+to+the+maritime+industry.+Our+over-arching+goal+is+to+improve+the+nature+of+shipping+while+delivering+value+to+industrial+clients.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EThe+business+structure+is+straightforward%2C+consisting+of+three+main+companies%E2%80%94%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Combination+Carriers+%28KCC%29%2C+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Dry+Bulk+%28KDB%29%2C+and+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Digital+%28KD%29.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EKCC+is+focused+on+ship+ownership%2C+whereas+KDB+operates+vessels+on+a+charter+basis.+KD+develops+digital+solutions+aimed+at+simplifying+seaborne+supply+chain+operations%2C+lowering+costs%2C+and+leveraging+data+to+support+better+decision-making.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EKDB+is+75%25+owned+by+the+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Group+and+25%25+by+Marubeni.+The+Tokyo+office+is+primarily+responsible+for+KDB%E2%80%99s+business+operations.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EKDB+currently+operates+a+fleet+of+approximately+50+to+60+vessels%2C+combining+both+pool+and+chartered+tonnage.+Of+these%2C+around+5+to+10+are+on+long-term+charters%2C+typically+with+terms+of+up+to+two+years.+Historically%2C+roughly+70%25+of+the+vessels+are+Japanese-built+or+owned.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EKCC%E2%80%99s+fleet+size+has+remained+unchanged+since+last+year.+We+still+own+16+vessels%2C+with+an+additional+three+on+order%2C+scheduled+for+delivery+in+2026.+These+new+ships+will+represent+the+next+generation+of+CABU+vessels.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Long-Term+Charter+fleet%3Cbr%3EKDB%E2%80%99s+chartered+vessel+fleet+has+decreased+from+around+40+vessels+last+year+to+approximately+30%E2%80%9335+today.+Early+last+year%2C+we+stopped+taking+on+long-term+tonnage+due+to+a+negative+outlook+for+the+second+half+of+the+year.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EThe+main+challenge+today+is+that+spot+rates+are+too+low.+While+long-term+charter+rates+remain+reasonable%2C+the+gap+between+spot+and+period+rates+is+too+wide.+If+we+were+to+take+a+period+ship+today%2C+we+would+lose+substantially+due+to+this+spread.+That%E2%80%99s+why+we+have+reserved+five-year+charters.+Economics+simply+doesn%E2%80%99t+work+now.+At+current+levels%2C+committing+would+be+gambling+and+we%E2%80%99re+not+here+to+gamble.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhat+we+need+is+not+necessarily+to+ask+shipowners+to+reduce+long-term+rates.+Instead%2C+we+need+the+spot+market+to+recover+to+a+level+where+the+gap+becomes+manageable.++Once+that+happens%2C+we%E2%80%99ll+be+able+to+take+calculated+risks+in+the+market.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ENow+that+we%E2%80%99ve+built+strong+relationships+with+shipowners%2C+we%E2%80%99re+well-positioned+to+act+when+both+the+market+and+the+owners+are+ready.+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Next+long+term+charter+plan%3Cbr%3EOur+target+is+to+take+long-term+charter+ships+of+about+5-10+vessels+with+five-year+terms%2C+ideally+comprising+either+newbuilds+or+vessels+up+to+5+years+old.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAt+present%2C+many+Japanese+shipowners%E2%80%99+fleets+are+committed+to+charter+contracts%2C+and+most+owners+are+in+a+financially+solid+position.+Over+the+past+few+years%2C+many+vessels+have+been+under+three-year+charters.+These+charters+are+ending+this+year+or+next%2C+which+opens+opportunities+for+us+to+secure+long-term+tonnage.+Our+%E2%80%9Cguns+are+loaded%2C%E2%80%9D+and+we+will+be+ready+when+the+time+comes.+When+the+time+is+right%2C+we%E2%80%99re+ready+to+commit+to+five+to+ten+vessels.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Charter+length%3Cbr%3ECurrently%2C+the+longest+charters+KDB+is+ready+to+take+are+up+to+five+years%2C+typically+with+extension+options+included.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EHistorically%2C+KDB+has+always+operated+under+an+asset-light+model%2C+which+remains+at+the+core+of+our+business+approach.+In+fact%2C+before+we+established+our+office+in+Japan%2C+our+longest+time+charters+were+just+two+years.+You+could+say+our+mindset+is+gradually+evolving%E2%80%94from+two+years+to+five+years%2C+and+possibly+even+longer+in+the+future.+We%E2%80%99re+taking+it+step+by+step.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-About+Purchase+Options%3Cbr%3EPurchase+options+are+not+a+necessity+for+us+as+we+would+like+to+work+with+ship+owners+in+a+way+that+is+mutually+beneficial.+In+that+sense%2C+extension+options+would+be+essential+for+us.+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Pool+Business%3Cbr%3EThe+number+of+KDB%E2%80%99s+pool+vessels+has+decreased+to+23-25+vessels+compared+to+around+28+ships+1+year+ago%2C+but+not+due+to+performance+issues.+The+decline+is+mainly+because+many+shipowners+decided+to+sell+their+vessels+last+year.+In+fact%2C+our+performance+was+very+strong%2C+delivering+101%25+of+the+market+index.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ESome+owners+took+advantage+of+our+fixed+rate+service%2C+which+allows+them+to+secure+coverage+when+the+FFA+market+is+high.+For+instance%2C+in+anticipation+of+the+downturn+in+the+market+last+year%2C+we+advised+owners+to+lock+in+rates+for+three+or+six+months.+By+locking+in+during+the+market+peaks%2C+owners+were+able+to+secure+higher+returns.+On+average%2C+the+fixed+rate+service+enabled+those+that+used+the+service+to+achieve+117%25+of+the+index.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Digital+Transformation%3Cbr%3EWhat+sets+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+apart+as+a+dry+bulk+company+is+our+commitment+to+exploring+innovative+business+models.+One+such+initiative+is+Market+Manager%2C+digital+solutions+originally+developed+for+internal+use+to+forecast+the+forward+market.+We+have+now+made+it+available+to+broader+industry%2C+democratizing+access+to+high-quality+market+insights.+In+Japan%2C+we+currently+serve+two+external+customers%2C+one+of+whom+we+consider+a+strategic+partner.+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAnother+key+digital+solution+is+Pre-Vetting%2C+developed+by+KDB+and+now+being+further+commercialized+by+KD.+It%E2%80%99s+part+of+our+chartering+decision+support+tools%E2%80%94designed+by+shipping+professionals%2C+for+shipping+professionals.+In+the+dry+bulk+sector%2C+vessel+aging+is+a+growing+concern.+As+ships+age%2C+their+performance+often+declines.+Pre-Vetting+addresses+this+risk+by+thoroughly+assessing+vessels+before+chartering%2C+ensuring+they+meet+performance+standards+and+reducing+the+likelihood+of+claims+and+losses.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Dry+Bulk+market+outlook%3Cbr%3EIn+the+short+to+medium+term%2C+our+outlook+remains+cautious.+China%E2%80%99s+economic+slowdown+has+a+global+ripple+effect.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ECoal+imports+into+China+remain+low%2C+as+the+country+leans+heavily+on+domestic+production%2C+especially+from+Mongolia+and+its+western+regions.+In+terms+of+iron+ore%2C+the+key+question+is+how+much+steel+China+can+produce+and+export+given+current+tariffs.+The+main+thing+that+the+market+is+buoyed+by+at+the+moment+is+the+grain+season+which+has+lifted+rates+from+the+start+of+the+year.+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EPolitical+uncertainty+also+contributes+to+market+volatility.+With+Trump+currently+in+power%2C+he%E2%80%99s+proposing+tariffs+on+Chinese-built+vessels+calling+at+U.S.+ports.+While+no+final+decision+has+been+made%2C+and+one+is+expected+around+mid-April%2C+the+market+is+already+reacting+speculatively.+Regardless+of+the+outcome%2C+we+can+expect+some+volatility.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EIn+the+meantime%2C+the+industry+will+have+to+grapple+with+Trump%E2%80%99s+trade+tariffs+which+is+likely+to+lead+to+a+changing+of+trade+routes.+Under+such+circumstances%2C+the+winners+will+be+the+ones+who+are+able+to+adapt+quickly.+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EOur+outlook+for+this+year+is+slightly+bearish+due+to+the+high+uncertainty+in+the+economy%2C+we+expect+high+volatility+as+decisions+will+be+made+in+shorter+time+horizons+due+to+the+ensuing+unpredictability.+This+suits+us+well%2C+as+volatility+presents+opportunities+to+take+informed+market+positions.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+recorded+%2479+million+of+net+profit+in+2024%2C+decreased+by10+%25+year-on-year%3Cbr%3E2024+was+a+challenging+year+overall%2C+but+we+are+pleased+with+our+performance.+We+made+the+right+strategic+decisions+and+managed+risks+effectively%2C+maintaining+results+close+to+those+of+the+previous+year.+We%E2%80%99re+satisfied+with+how+we+navigated+the+difficult+market.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EEarly+last+year%2C+we+anticipated+further+weakness+in+the+drybulk+market+and+took+forward+short+positions+accordingly.+When+it+came+time+to+move+the+cargo%2C+we+chose+to+cover+on+the+falling+spot+time+charter+levels.+The+difference+between+these+rates+forms+the+basis+of+our+profitability.+This+approach%E2%80%94being+nimble+and+having+the+ability+to+adjust+our+positions+with+agility+%E2%80%94is+central+to+how+we+operate.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWe+apply+both+quantitative+and+qualitative+risk+management.+Our+research+team+continuously+monitors+the+market%2C+and+our+models+are+constantly+evolving+to+better+understand+market+trends+and+the+forward+curve.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ELooking+ahead%2C+the+focus+for+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+Dry+Bulk+is+business+model+innovation.+We+aim+to+work+closely+with+both+shipowners+and+charterers+to+build+long-term+partnerships+that+reduce+risk+for+everyone+involved+including+ourselves.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E-Next+year+will+mark+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E%E2%80%99s+80th+anniversary%3Cbr%3EWe+intend+to+continue+for+another+80+years+or+more.+While+we+may+not+be+the+largest+player+or+have+the+most+purchasing+power%2C+we+believe+in+long-term+sustainability%E2%80%94business+works+best+when+both+parties+benefit.+Our+philosophy+is+not+about+fighting+over+a+bigger+slice+of+the+cake+but+about+making+the+whole+cake+bigger+for+everyone.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWe%E2%80%99re+not+focused+on+maximizing+short-term+profits+at+any+cost.+We+don%E2%80%99t+want+to+overcommit%2C+fail%2C+and+redeliver+the+ships+saying%2C+%E2%80%9CSorry%2C+we+can%E2%80%99t+continue.%E2%80%9D+We%E2%80%99re+in+the+shipping+community+for+the+long+haul.+%3Cb%3EKlaveness%3C%2Fb%3E+is+building+a+brand+that+is+trusted+and+reliable.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDisclaimer%3A+The+English+translations+provided+through+this+service+are+the+result+of+translations+made+by+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+or+automatically+and+mechanically+translated+by+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+using+an+automated+translation+system+provided+by+a+third+party+after+certain+processing+of+the+Japanese+content+licensed+by+the+third+party.+In+terms+of+the+English+translation%2C+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+and+MarineNet+Co.%2C+Ltd.+make+no+warranty+or+burden+of+any+kind%2C+express+or+implied%2C+including+its+accuracy%2C+reliability%2C+validity+or+fitness+for+a+particular+purpose.+MarineNet+Users+should+fully+understand+that+this+service+uses+an+automated+translation+system+that+automatically+and+mechanically+recognizes+and+analyzes+information+and+produces+results.+The+users+should+understand+the+above+conditions+before+using+this+service.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E5%85%8D%E8%B2%AC%E4%BA%8B%E9%A0%85%EF%BC%9A%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B9%E3%82%92%E4%BB%8B%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E6%8F%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%82%8B%E8%8B%B1%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E3%81%8C%E4%BD%9C%E6%88%90%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%80%81%E5%8F%88%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E8%80%85%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E4%BD%BF%E7%94%A8%E8%A8%B1%E8%AB%BE%E3%82%92%E5%8F%97%E3%81%91%E3%81%9F%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%86%E3%83%B3%E3%83%84%E3%82%92%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E3%81%8C%E4%B8%80%E5%AE%9A%E3%81%AE%E5%87%A6%E7%90%86%E3%82%92%E8%A1%8C%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%A7%E3%80%81%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E8%80%85%E3%81%8C%E6%8F%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%82%92%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%9A%84%E3%83%BB%E6%A9%9F%E6%A2%B0%E7%9A%84%E3%81%AB%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E7%B5%90%E6%9E%9C%E3%81%A7%E3%81%82%E3%82%8A%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E3%80%81%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E5%BD%93%E8%A9%B2%E8%8B%B1%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E3%80%81%E3%81%9D%E3%81%AE%E6%AD%A3%E7%A2%BA%E6%80%A7%E3%80%81%E4%BF%A1%E9%A0%BC%E6%80%A7%E3%80%81%E5%A6%A5%E5%BD%93%E6%80%A7%E5%8F%8A%E3%81%B3%E7%89%B9%E5%AE%9A%E7%9B%AE%E7%9A%84%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E9%81%A9%E5%90%88%E6%80%A7%E3%82%92%E5%90%AB%E3%82%81%E3%80%81%E6%98%8E%E7%A4%BA%E5%8F%88%E3%81%AF%E9%BB%99%E7%A4%BA%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%80%81%E3%81%84%E3%81%8B%E3%81%AA%E3%82%8B%E4%BF%9D%E8%A8%BC%E3%82%82%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%81%9B%E3%82%93%E3%80%82%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%A6%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B9%E3%81%8C%E3%80%81%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%9A%84%E3%81%8B%E3%81%A4%E6%A9%9F%E6%A2%B0%E7%9A%84%E3%81%AB%E6%83%85%E5%A0%B1%E3%82%92%E8%AA%8D%E8%AD%98%E3%83%BB%E5%88%86%E6%9E%90%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E7%B5%90%E6%9E%9C%E3%82%92%E5%87%BA%E5%8A%9B%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%82%92%E4%BD%BF%E7%94%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B9%E3%81%A7%E3%81%82%E3%82%8B%E3%81%93%E3%81%A8%E3%82%92%E5%8D%81%E5%88%86%E3%81%AB%E7%90%86%E8%A7%A3%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%A7%E3%80%81%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B9%E3%82%92%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E3%82%82%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82%3Cbr%3E

【Global Lens】【インタビュー　日本法人設立1年】クラブネス・ジャパン代表　ハルキ・チュア氏、機を見て長期用船再開

2025/04/30(水)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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