日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Jul 03, 2025 (Thu)

‌【Interview】Mr. Igarashi, President of“K”Line, on Acceleration of Growth in the Area of Core Competence

Takenori Igarashi, President of “K”Line

　--At the earnings conference in May, the company indicated that it expects the impact of US tariff ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80--At+the+earnings+conference+in+May%2C+the+company+indicated+that+it+expects+the+impact+of+US+tariff+policy+to+reduce+consolidated+ordinary+profit+by+30+billion+yen+for+the+fiscal+year+ending+March+2026.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+businesses+that+will+be+affected+are+first+container+ships%2C+then+PCTCs.+The+impact+on+dry+bulk+and+energy+resource+related+businesses+are+not+that+large.+Of+the+30+billion+yen%2C+16.5+billion+yen+is+expected+to+come+from+container+ships%2C+and+13.5+billion+yen+from+self-operated+businesses%2C+mainly+PCTCs.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+had+predicted+a+30%25+decline+in+the+number+of+PCTC+shipments+in+FY2025%2C+but+at+present%2C+US+sales+in+the+automobile+trade+are+stable%2C+and+the+decline+in+transportation+demand+is+limited+to+just+under+10%25%2C+which+is+not+as+large+as+we+had+anticipated.+We+will+continue+to+closely+monitor+the+progress+of+future+tariff+negotiations+between+Japan+and+the+United+States.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CInitially%2C+the+impact+of+tough+tariff+policies+was+expected+for+container+ships%2C+but+in+May%2C+the+application+of+mutual+tariffs+between+the+United+States+and+China+was+postponed+for+90+days%2C+which+caused+demand+to+suddenly+increase%2C+and+there+was+also+a+temporary+shortage+of+shipping+capacity%2C+which+led+to+an+increase+in+the+short-term+freight+rate+market.+As+for+the+future+outlook%2C+what+will+happen+with+the+90-day+suspension+of+reciprocal+tariffs%3F+We+are+closely+monitoring+the+progress+of+negotiations+between+the+United+States+and+China.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIt+is+extremely+difficult+to+predict+how+the+U.S.+administration%E2%80%99s+policies+will+develop%2C+so+if+we+try+to+take+preemptive+measures+without+carefully+determining+the+direction+of+policies%2C+it+could+backfire%2C+so+I+think+it+is+important+to+carefully+watch+developments+and+respond+with+caution.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Partnership+and+M%26A%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--The+company%E2%80%99s+self-operated+businesses%2C+centered+on+PCTCs%2C+dry+bulk%2C+and+energy+resources+divisions%2C+expect+consolidated+pretax+profit+of+68+billion+yen+this+fiscal+year+%28down+33%25+from+the+previous+period%29.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+forecast+takes+into+account+the+impact+of+the+appreciation+of+the+yen%2C+which+has+risen+by+approximately+12+yen+from+the+previous+period%2C+and+the+impact+of+US+tariff+policies.+It+is+difficult+to+predict+what+impact+the+tariff+policy+will+have+throughout+the+fiscal+year%2C+including+its+continuity%2C+but+at+this+point+we+believe+that+the+impact+will+continue+throughout+the+year+for+both+our+self-operated+and+container+businesses%2C+and+that+we+have+factored+in+a+corresponding+level+of+risk.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+are+taking+steps+to+further+grow+our+self-employed+business.+For+example%2C+in+the+PCTC+business%2C+it+is+becoming+increasingly+important+to+provide+new+transport+value+due+to+growing+demand+for+environmentally+friendly+ships.+Our+strengths+are+our+industry-leading+eco-friendly+ships+%28currently+operating+nine+vessels%29+and+our+extensive+transport+know-how%2C+and+we+are+able+to+expand+our+profits+by+making+proposals+and+collaborating+with+customers+based+on+their+needs.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CGoing+forward%2C+we+plan+to+expand+the+transportation+of+highly+profitable+H%26H+%28high+and+heavy%29+cargo%2C+such+as+construction+machinery%2C+agricultural+machinery%2C+and+break+bulk%2C+and+aim+to+introduce+zero-emission+ships+around+FY2029.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+the+LNG+%28liquefied+natural+gas%29+carrier+business%2C+we+have+confirmed+an+expansion+from+the+current+46+ships+to+65+ships+in+FY2026%2C+which+will+steadily+contribute+to+profits+going+forward.+By+2030%2C+we+hope+to+add+another+10+ships+to+our+total%2C+reaching+more+than+75+ships%2C+and+in+the+future%2C+we+hope+to+reach+more+than+100+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+initiatives+and+policies+for+medium-+to+long-term+growth%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+are+considering+various+options%2C+but+for+medium-+to+long-term+business+growth%2C+we+would+like+to+hone+our+three+strengths+-+%E2%80%99safety+and+ship+quality+management%2C%E2%80%99+%E2%80%99enhancing+the+environment+and+technology%2C%E2%80%99+and+%E2%80%99strengthening+DX+%28Digital+Transformation%29%E2%80%99+-+and+combine+these+strengths+with+our+other+businesses+in+areas+where+they+can+be+utilized+to+achieve+business+growth.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+would+like+to+further+accelerate+growth+through+collaboration+with+customers+and+partners+and+M%26A+%28mergers+and+acquisitions%29+in+the+three+growth-driving+businesses+and+in+areas+where+we+can+leverage+our+strengths.+However%2C+we+will+maintain+our+investment+stance+of+being+restrained+in+good+times+and+strategic+when+the+market+is+in+a+downturn%2C+and+we+intend+to+be+firm+in+our+investment+discipline+and+to+take+bold+steps+in+areas+where+we+should+be+aggressive+and+at+the+right+time.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Optimal+capital+structure%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+do+you+think+about+the+balance+between+shareholder+returns+and+investment%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+time%2C+we+have+increased+the+dividend+for+the+fiscal+year+2025+by+20+yen+per+share+from+the+amount+announced+in+February+to+120+yen.+This+will+be+allocated+from+the+surplus+funds+of+the+total+shareholder+return+already+announced+in+the+previous+announcement%2C+which+was+750+billion+yen.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COur+company+has+traditionally+been+based+on+a+cash+allocation+policy+rather+than+a+dividend+payout+ratio%2C+and+has+always+been+conscious+of+the+optimal+capital+structure.+After+ensuring+the+investments+necessary+to+increase+corporate+value+and+financial+soundness%2C+we+have+adopted+the+approach+of+actively+considering+shareholder+returns+based+on+cash+flow+for+any+portion+that+exceeds+the+appropriate+capital.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+line+with+this+basic+policy%2C+we+have+confirmed+that+operating+cash+flow+for+the+current+medium-term+plan+is+1.5+trillion+yen%2C+and+have+increased+the+total+amount+of+returns+by+FY2026+from+over+750+billion+yen+announced+in+February+to+over+800+billion+yen.+The+increased+amount+of+50+billion+yen+will+be+a+flexible+additional+return%2C+but+the+method+and+timing+of+the+return+have+not+been+decided+and+will+be+announced+once+a+decision+has+been+made.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--The+investment+CF+during+the+medium-term+plan+period+has+been+revised+from+740+billion+yen+announced+in+February+to+610+billion+yen.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CNew+investments+during+the+medium-term+plan+are+progressing+as+planned.+On+the+other+hand%2C+the+total+investment+CF+has+changed+from+the+beginning+of+the+fiscal+year+due+to+some+customer+plans+being+postponed+and+an+increase+in+cash+inflow+from+asset+sales.+The+postponed+plans+will+be+implemented+after+FY2027%2C+and+until+then%2C+we+will+extend+the+life+of+existing+ships%2C+so+there+will+be+no+change+to+the+scale+of+our+business+during+the+mid-term+plan+period.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--A+consortium+of+seven+shipping+and+shipbuilding+companies+is+beginning+to+work+toward+establishing+standard+specifications+and+ship+shapes+for+liquefied+CO2+%28carbon+dioxide%29+ships.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CJapan+has+the+advantage+of+having+a+strong+domestic+maritime+cluster%2C+and+I+believe+it+is+extremely+meaningful+for+shipbuilding+and+shipping+to+work+closely+together+to+maintain+and+improve+our+international+competitiveness.+We+are+expanding+our+shipping+business+globally%2C+but+at+the+same+time%2C+we+are+always+keen+to+contribute+to+the+development+of+Japan.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%28Published+from+time+to+time%29%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Takenori+Igarashi+joined+%E2%80%9CK%E2%80%9DLine+in+1991.+In+2007%2C+he+became+head+of+the+Americas+team+in+the+PCTC+Sales+Group.+In+2012%2C+he+worked+at+%E2%80%9CK%E2%80%9DLine+%28Europe%29+London.+In+2016%2C+he+became+head+of+the+Corporate+Planning+Group.+In+2019%2C+he+became+an+Executive+Officer%2C+in+2021+a+Managing+Executive+Officer%2C+in+2024+a+Senior+Executive+Officer%2C+and+has+held+his+current+position+since+March+28%2C+2025.+Born+in+Gunma+Prefecture%2C+58+years+old.%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】(5)川崎汽船社長・五十嵐武宜氏、強みの領域で成長加速

2025/07/03(木)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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