日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily May 27, 2025 (Tue)

‌【Interviews】Mr. Kikuchi, President of MOL Maritex on creating new value

Kazuhiko Kikuchi, President of MOL Maritex

　MOL Group’s MOL Marine & Engineering (MOLMEC), MOL Ocean Expert (MOLOX), and MOL Ship Tech (MOLST) ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80MOL+Group%E2%80%99s+MOL+Marine+%26+Engineering+%28MOLMEC%29%2C+MOL+Ocean+Expert+%28MOLOX%29%2C+and+MOL+Ship+Tech+%28MOLST%29+merged+on+April+1+to+form+the+new+company+%E2%80%9C%3Cb%3EMOL+Maritex%3C%2Fb%3E.%E2%80%9C+We+spoke+to+Kazuhiko+Kikuchi%2C+the+president+of+the+new+company%2C+about+his+aspirations+and+leadership.%3Cbr%3E%28Interviewer%3A+Satoshi+Yamada%29%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+is+the+aim+of+the+merger+of+the+three+companies%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThere+are+two+aims.+The+first+is+to+improve+the+efficiency+of+the+MOL+Group%E2%80%99s+organizational+operations.+In+the+past%2C+the+company+has+been+moving+forward+with+initiatives%2C+such+as+integrating+its+small+and+medium-sized+bulker+business+with+its+multipurpose+vessels+in+Asian+Waters+business%2C+and+merging+ferry+companies.+This+time%2C+we+will+integrate+three+companies+with+technological+strengths+and+operate+more+efficiently.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAnother+aim+is+to+combine+the+knowledge+and+know-how+of+the+three+companies+to+create+new+value.+The+environment+surrounding+the+maritime+industry+is+changing+dramatically+and+becoming+more+complex.+We+are+no+longer+in+an+era+where+we+can+rest+easy+just+by+continuing+what+we+have+been+doing.+We+will+respond+flexibly+to+changing+needs+and+provide+new+value.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COne+of+the+pillars+of+our+traditional+business+is+the+maritime+consulting+business.+Utilizing+our+knowledge+of+ship+operations%2C+we+have+provided+advice+on+maritime+traffic+safety%2C+for+navigations+involving+docking+and+undocking+for+example.+However%2C+consulting+also+requires+knowledge+and+skills+that+are+different+from+those+required+in+the+past.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+is+because+new+fuel+ships+and+liquefied+CO2+%28carbon+dioxide%29+ships+have+emerged.+We+have+cooperated+with+MOLST%2C+which+has+extensive+knowledge+of+the+structures+of+new+ship+types+and+shapes.+By+becoming+one+company%2C+we+can+respond+more+precisely+and+quickly.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Excitement%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+aspirations%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CLeveraging+the+experience+I+gained+from+being+involved+in+the+launch+of+%E2%80%99MOL+Drybulk%2C%E2%80%99+a+new+company+integrating+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+and+multipurpose+vessels+in+Asian+Waters%2C+I+would+like+to+achieve+a+true+integration+of+the+three+companies+with+a+sense+of+urgency.+By+bringing+together+their+respective+strengths+and+leveraging+synergy%2C+we+create+new+value.+I+want+to+try+new+business+ventures+as+well.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+are+also+working+to+create+a+workplace+where+each+individual+can+maximize+their+capabilities.+Many+of+our+company%E2%80%99s+businesses+are+unique%2C+including+ship+handling+simulators%2C+ship+construction+supervision%2C+and+operation+and+observation+support+for+academic+research+vessels.+In+addition+to+being+rewarding%2C+it+can+also+be+exciting.+I+want+to+share+these+ideas+with+everyone+and+make+our+company+even+more+attractive.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+the+strengths+of+the+new+company%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COur+greatest+strengths+are+our+technology%2C+know-how+and+knowledge+in+the+field+of+maritime+technology.+The+new+company+name+combines+the+names+of+the+three+companies+to+express+our+desire+to+become+a+group+of+maritime+%E2%80%99MARI%28NE%29%E2%80%99+technical+%E2%80%99TE%28CH%29%E2%80%99+experts+%E2%80%99EX%28PERT%29.%E2%80%99%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+%E2%80%99X%E2%80%99+in+Maritex+represents+our+desire+to+be+%E2%80%99future-oriented+and+take+on+the+unknown%E2%80%99+as+well+as+to+%E2%80%99mix+the+capabilities+of+the+three+companies.%E2%80%99%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+will+utilize+the+knowledge+and+know-how+we+have+accumulated+over+the+years+to+support+ship+safety+and+the+protection+of+the+marine+environment.+We+will+support+the+growth+of+the+MOL+Group+with+our+technology+and+contribute+to+the+realization+of+a+carbon-neutral+society.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAnother+strength+is+our+ability+to+provide+end-to-end+solutions%2C+from+ship+construction+supervision+to+crew+training%2C+ship+management+and+operation+support.+A+good+example+is+the+Arctic+research+vessel+%E2%80%99Mirai+II%2C%E2%80%99+currently+under+construction+by+the+Japan+Agency+for+Marine-Earth+Science+and+Technology+%28JAMSTEC%29.+The+New+Shipbuilding+Project+Management+Division+is+in+charge+of+construction+supervision%2C+while+the+Marine+Business+Division+is+in+charge+of+supervision+of+observation+equipment.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Strength+in+cable+ships%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+areas+are+you+focusing+on%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+would+like+to+strengthen+external+sales+related+to+cable+ships+and+offshore+wind+power.+We+have+been+involved+in+the+operation+and+management+of+communication+cable-laying+ships+for+approximately+50+years.+Submarine+cables+are+critical+infrastructure+that+handles+99%25+of+Japan%E2%80%99s+international+communications.+Cable+ships+are+becoming+increasingly+important+from+the+perspective+of+communications+security.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+cable+ship%E2%80%99s+ship+management+operations+and+Dynamic+Positioning+System+%28DPS%29+technology+can+be+applied+to+the+laying+of+power+cables+that+transmit+electricity+from+offshore+wind+turbines+to+shore.+DPS+is+also+installed+on+various+workboats+used+in+offshore+wind+power%2C+and+there+is+a+growing+demand+for+personnel+who+can+operate+it.+We+will+work+to+improve+our+operational+training+courses+and+support+the+spread+of+offshore+wind+power.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CExternal+sales+have+two+meanings.+One+is+to+secure+revenue+sources+outside+the+group+and+strengthen+our+financial+base.+The+other+is+to+be+involved+in+the+operation%2C+support%2C+and+management+of+ships+that+the+MOL+Group+has+never+handled+before%2C+and+to+bring+that+experience+back+to+the+group.+External+sales+are+mainly+for+overseas+projects%2C+and+we+are+also+receiving+more+and+more+consulting+contracts+in+Asia.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+the+challenges+ahead%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CMOLMEC+has+experience+in+maritime+consulting%2C+cable+ships%2C+maritime+training+and+offshore+wind+power%2C+while+MOLOX+has+experience+in+crew+dispatch+and+maritime+agency+services+for+foreign+crew+members+and+Japanese-registered+ships%2C+and+MOLST+has+experience+in+supervising+the+construction+of+new+ships+and+design+consulting.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAlthough+we+are+a+company+with+strengths+in+maritime+technology%2C+it+is+our+people+that+support+the+company.+Securing+and+developing+human+resources+is+a+major+challenge.+The+current+staff+is+approximately+200+people.+A+wide+variety+of+talents+are+employed+here%2C+including+researchers%2C+former+sailors%2C+people+from+shipyards%2C+and%2C+more+unusually%2C+art+school+graduates+working+on+simulators.+Up+until+now%2C+we+have+mostly+hired+mid-career+employees%2C+but+going+forward%2C+we+would+like+to+consider+hiring+new+graduates+as+well.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Kikuchi+Kazuhiko+graduated+from+Hitotsubashi+University+in+1986+and+joined+Mitsui+O.S.K.+Lines+%28now+MOL%29.+He+became+General+Manager+of+the+Dry+Bulk+Carrier+Division+2+in+2016%2C+Executive+Officer+in+2019%2C+Managing+Executive+Officer+and+President+of+MOL+Drybulk+in+2021%2C+Group+Executive+Officer+in+2022%2C+Senior+Managing+Executive+Officer+in+2023%2C+President+of+MOL+Marine+%26+Engineering+in+2024%2C+and+has+held+his+current+position+since+April+2025.+Born+in+Miyagi+Prefecture.%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

【新トップに聞く】商船三井マリテックス社長・菊地和彦氏、新たなバリュー創造

2025/05/27(火)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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