日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily May 16, 2025 (Fri)

‌【Interview】Mr.Yamanaka, President of NS United Kaiun Kaisha; Undergoing digital transformation

NS United Kaiun Kaisha President Kazuma Yamanaka

　The business environment surrounding shipping companies is becoming increasingly uncertain due to t ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80The+business+environment+surrounding+shipping+companies+is+becoming+increasingly+uncertain+due+to+the+US+Trump+administration%E2%80%99s+trade+and+maritime+policies%2C+including+tariffs.+We+interviewed+the+heads+of+major+shipping+companies+about+their+plans+for+FY+2025.+The+first+guest+is+%3Cb%3ENS+United+Kaiun+Kaisha%3C%2Fb%3E+President+Kazuma+Yamanaka.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--Consolidated+ordinary+profit+for+the+fiscal+year+ending+March+2025+was+19+billion+yen%2C+down+14%25+from+the+previous+period.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+market+for+dry+bulk+shipping%2C+our+main+business%2C+was+sluggish+in+the+second+half+of+the+year%2C+which+had+an+impact.+The+weak+yen+was+a+tailwind%2C+but+rising+docking+and+repair+costs+put+pressure+on+profits.+Profits+for+ocean+shipping+decreased%2C+while+profits+for+coastal+shipping+increased+due+to+the+operation+of+new+ships+and+capturing+spot+demand.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CNet+profit+for+this+period+increased+by+4%25+to+18.6+billion+yen%2C+thanks+to+profits+from+ship+sales.+ROE+%28return+on+equity%29+was+11.9%25%2C+exceeding+10%25+for+the+fourth+consecutive+period.+Even+in+a+tough+business+environment%2C+we+were+able+to+achieve+certain+results+thanks+to+stable+earnings+from+long-term+contracts.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Market+conditions+and+exchange+rates+are+the+focus%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--Consolidated+ordinary+profit+for+the+fiscal+year+ending+March+2026+is+expected+to+be+10+billion+yen%2C+down+47%25+from+the+previous+period.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+factors+behind+the+decline+in+profits+are+the+decline+in+dry+bulk+market+and+the+appreciation+of+the+yen.+Supply+pressure+for+new+bulkers+is+weaker+than+for+other+ship+types%2C+and+cargo+movement+is+expected+to+be+relatively+strong%2C+so+some+believe+that+the+market+will+remain+resilient.+However%2C+there+is+a+strong+sense+of+uncertainty+about+the+future+of+the+global+economy.+There+is+also+a+possibility+that+the+market+may+be+pushed+down%2C+so+we+have+taken+this+into+consideration.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+exchange+rate+assumption+for+the+forecast+is+140+yen+to+the+dollar.+It+is+extremely+difficult+to+predict+whether+the+yen+will+appreciate+or+remain+weak.+We+will+be+closely+monitoring+the+impact+that+U.S.+trade+policy+and+President+Trump%E2%80%99s+policies+will+have+on+the+FRB+%28the+Federal+Reserve+Board%29+monetary+policy.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+impact+will+the+US+tariffs+have%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COur+earnings+forecasts+do+not+take+into+account+the+direct+impact+of+U.S.+trade+policies+such+as+tariffs.+At+this+stage%2C+it+is+difficult+to+assess+the+impact.+It+does+not+mean+there+will+be+no+changes+to+the+supply+chain.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+could+have+a+negative+impact+on+transport+demand+on+existing+shipping+routes.+However%2C+I+think+there+are+also+positive+aspects%2C+such+as+the+emergence+of+new+transportation+needs.+We+will+also+cooperate+with+overseas+bases+in+North+America%2C+Europe+and+Asia%2C+and+keep+our+antennas+up+to+gather+information+that+will+lead+to+business+opportunities.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m+also+paying+close+attention+to+U.S.+energy+policy%2C+particularly+the+resurgence+of+fossil+fuels.+The+global+trend+towards+decarbonization+will+not+be+reversed%2C+but+it+may+slow+down.+We+will+be+keeping+a+close+eye+on+this+as+it+is+closely+related+to+the+timing+of+investments.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+impact+of+the+United+States+Trade+Representative%E2%80%99s+port+entry+fees+on+Chinese-related+ships+will+be+limited+to+our+business+because+we+have+very+few+ships+chartered+from+Chinese+shipowners+or+built+in+China.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Methanol+fuel+ship%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--A+new+medium-term+management+plan+started+in+FY+2024.+How+would+you+evaluate+the+first+fiscal+year%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+pillars+of+our+business+strategy+are+%E2%80%99expansion+of+new+growth+business+areas%E2%80%99+and+%E2%80%99deepening+of+existing+core+business+areas.%E2%80%99+Environmental+friendliness+will+be+the+focus+for+both+new+and+existing+businesses.+We+are+working+with+our+partners+to+promote+the+introduction+of+next-generation+fuel+ships+and+environmental+friendliness+for+existing+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+have+decided+to+order+several+Capesize+bulkers+for+steel+raw+materials+that+can+use+methanol+fuel%2C+a+next-generation+marine+fuel.+We+have+also+launched+a+project+team+to+secure+green+methanol+fuel%2C+which+is+produced+without+using+fossil+fuels.+We+are+also+training+crew+members+to+serve+on+new+fuel+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+have+also+signed+a+contract+to+build+an+LPG+%28liquefied+petroleum+gas%29+dual-fuel+VLGC+%28Very+Large+LPG+Carrier%29.+The+ship+can+also+transport+ammonia.+Existing+400%2C000-dwt+class+Very+Large+Ore+Carriers+will+be+equipped+with+environmental+devices+such+as+wind+propulsion+auxiliary+units+and+shaft+generators.+Biofuels+will+also+be+used.+Toward+creating+a+low-carbon+fleet%2C+we+have+secured+35+EEDI+%28Energy+Efficiency+Design+Index%29+Phase+3+compliant+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9C%E2%80%99Human+capital+strategy%E2%80%99%2C+%E2%80%99sustainable+shipping+strategy%E2%80%99%2C+%E2%80%99strengthened+governance%E2%80%99%2C+and+%E2%80%99DX+%28Digital+Transformation%29+strategy%E2%80%99+that+support+our+business+strategy+are+also+progressing+steadily.+We+have+introduced+a+new+personnel+system+that+rewards+taking+on+challenges.+We+are+stepping+up+the+recruitment+of+female+seafarers%2C+including+for+coastal+shipping.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CDX+is+where+we+have+made+the+biggest+advances.+A+project+has+been+launched+to+consider+laying+the+foundations+for+the+core+system%2C+and+efforts+have+also+begun+to+implement+IT+technology+into+business+operations.+We+have+also+introduced+generative+AI+%28artificial+intelligence%29.+Nearly+400+proposals+for+business+improvement+were+submitted.+We+will+solve+these+issues+one+by+one+and+improve+the+efficiency+of+our+operations.%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+a+business+environment+where+things+are+changing+rapidly%2C+I+think+speed+is+important+in+management.+In+order+to+make+decisions+quickly%2C+we+need+to+work+more+efficiently.+By+utilizing+IT+and+other+technologies%2C+we+hope+to+make+effective+use+of+time+and+labor+while+improving+the+quality+of+each+employee%E2%80%99s+work+and+increasing+the+value+of+the+company.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--The+company+plans+to+invest+300+billion+yen+between+FY+2024+and+FY+2030.+I+would+like+to+ask+about+the+progress+and+future+investment+policies.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+have+decided+to+order+multiple+new+methanol+dual-fuel+Capesize+vessels%2C+and+are+proposing+them+to+our+customers%2C+taking+into+account+factors+such+as+economic+viability%2C+in+order+to+secure+long-term+transport+contracts.+We+are+also+considering+placing+additional+orders+for+dual-fuel+methanol+vessels.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+steel+companies+move+towards+decarbonizing+their+steelmaking+processes%2C+demand+for+the+transportation+of+new+raw+materials%2C+such+as+reduced+iron+and+scrap%2C+is+expected.+There+will+also+be+demand+for+liquefied+CO2+carriers+for+CO2+%28carbon+dioxide%29+emitted+from+the+steelmaking+process+that+was+captured+and+stored.+Expectations+are+also+rising+for+ammonia+as+a+next-generation+energy+source.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+will+capture+new+transportation+needs+of+our+customers.+Ship+prices+remain+high%2C+and+shipyards%E2%80%99+slipways+are+fully+booked+for+quite+some+time+to+come.+Although+investment+decisions+are+difficult+in+the+current+situation%2C+we+will+continue+to+make+thorough+efforts+as+investment+is+essential+to+achieving+sustainable+growth.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%28Published+from+time+to+time%29%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Kazuma+Yamanaka+graduated+from+Hitotsubashi+University%E2%80%99s+School+of+Law+in+1986+and+joined+Nippon+Steel+Corporation+%28now+Nippon+Steel+Corporation%29.+In+2012%2C+he+became+Director+of+the+Human+Resources+and+Labor+Relations+Department.+In+2018%2C+he+was+appointed+Executive+Officer+and+Director+of+the+Equipment+Procurement+Department.+In+2021%2C+he+became+Managing+Executive+Officer.+In+June+2023%2C+he+assumed+his+current+position.+Born+in+Chiba+Prefecture%2C+61+years+old.%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

【海運トップに聞く　25年度の舵取り】(1)NSユナイテッド海運社長・山中一馬氏、DX戦略が進展

2025/05/16(金)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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