日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Jul 09, 2025 (Wed)

‌【Interview】Mr.Fukui,Presedint of MOL Drybulk on Strategy for Profitable Business

Toshiaki Fukui, President of MOL Drybulk

　MOL Drybulk (headquarters: Tokyo) was established in 2021 through the integration of MOL’s tramper, ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80%3Cb%3EMOL+Drybulk%3C%2Fb%3E+%28headquarters%3A+Tokyo%29+was+established+in+2021+through+the+integration+of+MOL%E2%80%99s+tramper%2C+wood+chip+carrier%2C+and+Panamax+businesses+with+MOL+Kinkai%2C+and+boasts+an+operating+scale+of+approximately+200+vessels.+We+spoke+to+President+Toshiaki+Fukui%2C+who+took+over+as+the+new+head+of+the+company+in+April%2C+about+how+he+will+steer+the+company+toward+growth.%3Cbr%3E%28Interviewer%3A+Azumi+Kashiwai%29%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Explicit+knowledge+through+%E2%80%9Cwaigaya%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--I%E2%80%99d+like+to+ask+about+your+aspirations+for+taking+on+this+new+position.%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COur+most+important+mission+is+to+turn+our+small+and+medium-sized+bulker%2C+multipurpose+vessel+and+wood+chip+carrier+businesses+into+profitable+businesses.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+global+dry+bulk+market+is+a+growth+sector+that+is+expected+to+expand+in+the+long+term%2C+but+it+cannot+be+said+that+operators+around+the+world+are+necessarily+making+high+profits.+In+the+growing+cargo+market%2C+if+we+do+not+turn+the+small+and+medium-sized+ship+business+into+a+profitable+business+while+pursuing+optimal+shipping+patterns+and+fleet+allocations%2C+our+existence+is+meaningless.+That+is+the+biggest+concern.%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+want+%E2%80%99waigaya%E2%80%99+to+be+one+of+the+keywords+in+our+corporate+culture.+We+have+a+lot+of+sales+professionals.+It%E2%80%99s+good+that+each+person+has+a+mastery+mindset%2C+but+it%E2%80%99s+a+real+waste+if+they+keep+their+conversations+with+customers+to+themselves.+I+want+to+bring+that+knowledge+out+through+lively+%28waiwai+gayagaya%29+discussions+with+everyone+and+share+the+knowledge+and+know-how+of+our+sales+professionals+as+so-called+explicit+knowledge+%28knowledge+that+can+be+objectively+expressed+in+words+or+formulas%2C+etc.%29.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Cooperation+with+local+subsidiaries+in+Singapore%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80How+will+you+make+money+in+a+volatile+market%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CVarious+tramper+operators+around+the+world+have+taken+on+the+challenge%2C+but+there+is+still+no+clear+solution.+Because+each+situation+needs+a+different+approach.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CDuring+the+China+boom+from+2003+to+2008%2C+when+ships+were+in+short+supply%2C+we+could+win+if+we+had+ships.+However%2C+with+the+global+tonnage+now+on+the+rise%2C+there+is+a+need+to+pursue+a+variety+of+possibilities%2C+such+as+capturing+the+supply-demand+gap+for+each+shipping+route+and+concentrating+vessel+allocation+in+specific+waters.+Furthermore%2C+with+geopolitical+risks+and+trade+wars+increasing+uncertainty%2C+we+must+agilely+reorganize+our+vessel+allocation+to+adapt+to+the+latest+developments.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+one+concrete+measure+to+utilize+the+group%E2%80%99s+strengths%2C+since+last+year%2C+we+have+been+outsourcing+the+chartering+function+%28attaching+cargo+to+ships%29+of+our+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+to+MOL+Ocean+Bulk+%28MOLOB%29%2C+a+local+group+company+in+Singapore.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CMOLOB+utilizes+the+latest+information+it+obtains+in+Singapore%2C+where+shippers+and+traders+congregate.+It+is+responsible+for+the+ship+deployment+areas%2C+the+ships+for+COA+%28Contract+of+Affreightment%29%2C+TC+outs+%28time+charter%29%2C+and+the+determination+of+rates.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Strengthening+our+fleet%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+is+the+size+of+%3Cb%3EMOL+Drybulk%3C%2Fb%3E%E2%80%99s+fleet%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+number+of+operating+vessels%2C+including+spot+charter+vessels%2C+is+approximately+200.+They+can+be+broadly+broken+down+into+approximately+100+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+ranging+from+Panamax+to+Handysize%2C+over+40+wood+chip+carriers%2C+and+approximately+50+multipurpose+vessels.+Our+core+fleet%2C+consisting+of+our+own+ships+and+mid-+to+long-term+chartered+ships%2C+accounts+for+about+70%25+of+the+total%2C+with+the+remaining+30%25+being+chartered+on+a+short-term+or+spot+basis.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+thoughts+regarding+the+charter+periods+for+your+core+fleet%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+an+operator%2C+considering+the+risk+of+market+fluctuations%2C+it+is+desirable+to+keep+the+charter+period+for+new+ships+as+short+as+possible.+However%2C+if+the+charter+period+is+short%2C+it+is+often+difficult+for+shipowners+to+secure+bank+loans.+Therefore%2C+the+charter+period+for+new+ships+is+often+determined+by+the+financing+situation.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CMany+ships+are+chartered+from+shipowners+as+new+ships+for+multiple+years%2C+and+then+kept+on+for+one+or+two+years+after+the+contract+expires.+By+utilizing+such+short-term+charter+vessels%2C+costs+can+be+reduced+during+market+downturns+and+the+risk+of+market+fluctuations+can+be+mitigated.+We+are+trying+to+weather+the+rough+seas+of+the+market+by+adopting+a+so-called+light+asset+strategy.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAt+the+same+time%2C+we+would+like+to+increase+the+number+of+our+own+ships.+After+all%2C+without+a+certain+size+of+own+fleet%2C+profits+from+market+upswings+will+be+limited.+Owning+our+own+ships+also+gives+us+the+flexibility+to+sell+them+at+the+right+time.+A+big+challenge+is+how+to+optimize+the+balance+between+our+asset-light+strategy+and+owning+our+own+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+will+you+maintain+your+own+ships%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CCurrently%2C+our+own+ships+make+up+approximately+20%25+of+our+entire+operating+fleet.+In+terms+of+ship+type%2C+the+proportion+of+company-owned+wood-chip+carriers+and+multipurpose+vessels+is+relatively+high.+At+present%2C+we+do+not+own+many+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers%2C+so+we+would+like+to+increase+the+number+of+them.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CHowever%2C+the+current+available+slipways+at+major+shipyards+are+for+2028-2029%2C+and+ship+prices+are+high%2C+so+conducting+a+newbuilding+program+is+not+possible+immediately.+It+will+be+a+gradual+process.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CTo+buy+time%2C+we+are+considering+investing+in+secondhand+vessels+that+can+be+used+immediately.+However%2C+our+company+does+not+yet+have+accumulated+know-how+in+purchasing+secondhand+vessels%2C+so+we+must+now+improve+our+ability+to+assess+ships.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CEven+if+we+increase+the+number+of+our+own+ships%2C+the+number+of+ships+chartered+from+shipowners+will+not+decrease+significantly.+Owning+our+own+ships+and+having+the+option+to+sell+them+serve+as+a+buffer+to+prevent+a+decline+in+profits+in+times+of+market+downturn.+It+can+also+provide+peace+of+mind+to+shipowners.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Wind+Cargo+Department%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+measures+to+strengthen+competitiveness+in+the+multipurpose+vessel+sector%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+order+to+further+secure+wind+power+generation+components+and+project+cargo%2C+we+have+established+the+Wind+Cargo+Department+and+the+Project+Cargo+Department+under+the+HTV+%28Heavy+Transportation+Vessel%29+segment+under+the+leadership+of+Managing+Executive+Officer+Koji+Hemmi+and+Commercial+Executive+Officer+Takashi+Mitsumata%2C+and+have+sufficient+personnel+assigned+to+the+departments.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CNot+only+multipurpose+vessels%2C+but+also+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+are+increasingly+carrying+on-deck+cargo+these+days.+We+have+launched+the+%E2%80%99Break+Bulk+on+Bulker+Project%E2%80%99+to+proactively+acquire+such+cargoes.+We+are+also+looking+to+collaborate+with+Gearbulk.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+about+trilateral+trade+in+the+Atlantic+%28transportation+that+does+not+go+through+Japan%29%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+will+utilize+Gearbulk%2C+based+in+London%2C+England%2C+to+develop+the+Atlantic+market.+However%2C+I+was+based+in+London+myself%2C+and+cargo+availability+is+not+as+plentiful+as+in+Asia%2C+so+it+is+not+easy+for+Japanese+operators+to+make+a+dent+in+the+Atlantic+market.+It%E2%80%99s+a+tough+competitive+world%2C+and+for+the+time+being+we+have+no+choice+but+to+move+forward+with+a+market-oriented+approach.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Restructuring+of+operations%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+efforts+are+you+making+to+strengthen+your+operations%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+have+had+an+operations+base+in+Manila%2C+Philippines%2C+for+over+10+years%2C+with+Filipino+operators+working+alongside+Japanese+expatriates.+We+are+trying+to+move+the+operation+of+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+to+Manila+as+much+as+possible.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+terms+of+operations+in+Tokyo+in+the+past%2C+one+person+was+responsible+for+every+process%2C+including+giving+instructions+to+ships%2C+contacting+agents%2C+arranging+for+oil%2C+and+collecting+freight+charges.+However%2C+there+are+few+shipping+companies+that+use+this+method+these+days.+With+division+of+labor+progressing%2C+it+is+often+the+case+that+each+process+is+handled+by+a+different+person.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+a+result%2C+operational+personnel+are+becoming+more+mobile+overseas%2C+and+it+is+becoming+easier+to+replace+people+for+each+job.+By+dividing+tasks+among+the+staff+members+and+assigning+several+supervisors%2C+quality+can+be+maintained.+In+Japan%E2%80%99s+multitasking+system%2C+if+one+person+quits%2C+it+causes+major+disruptions+to+operations%2C+and+the+hurdle+of+hiring+a+replacement+is+high.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAt+first%2C+we+transplanted+the+Japanese+method+of+having+one+staff+member+handle+everything+from+start+to+finish+at+the+Manila+base.+However%2C+since+last+year%2C+we+have+been+trying+to+create+SOPs+%28standard+operating+procedures%29+to+divide+tasks+and+assign+different+people+to+different+roles.+The+shift+to+Manila+is+not+simply+a+case+of+lower+costs%2C+but+a+structural+reform+of+work+methods+to+align+with+global+standards.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Methanol+and+wind+power%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+are+you+reducing+the+environmental+impact%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CSmall+and+medium-sized+bulkers+are+one+of+the+most+difficult+ship+types+to+switch+fuel+sources.+Since+the+ships+will+be+deployed+to+all+waters+around+the+world%2C+fuel+supply+is+a+major+challenge.+There+is+also+limited+space+to+install+additional+fuel+tanks%2C+and+the+increased+costs+of+accommodating+new+fuels+account+for+a+large+proportion+of+the+ship%E2%80%99s+price%2C+so+options+for+tangible+aspects+are+limited.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+this+environment%2C+we+have+placed+an+order+for+a+new+methanol-fueled+bulker%2C+which+is+relatively+easy+to+maintain%2C+with+a+delivery+date+in+2027.+We+are+also+focusing+on+installing+energy-saving+devices%2C+such+as+wind+propulsion.+We+are+working+to+be+able+to+propose+solutions+when+shippers+start+to+become+more+conscious+of+Scope+3+emissions.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+is+your+outlook+for+this+year%E2%80%99s+dry+bulk+market%3F%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CLast+year%2C+the+market+started+to+deteriorate+in+the+second+half+%28July+to+December%29.+However%2C+this+year%2C+the+chances+of+a+drastic+change+are+low%2C+and+we+think+the+market+will+move+slowly+and+gradually.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+proposed+revision+of+port+entry+fees+announced+by+the+Office+of+the+United+States+Trade+Representative+%28USTR%29+in+April+basically+exempted+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+from+the+application+of+the+fees%2C+and+much+of+the+pessimism+has+disappeared.+However%2C+if+the+global+economy+is+unable+to+overcome+the+impact+of+tariffs+and+the+trade+structure+changes+fundamentally%2C+the+shift+from+long-distance+trade+to+intra-regional+transport+will+accelerate%2C+which+could+increase+downward+pressure+in+the+long+term.%E2%80%9C%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Toshiaki+Fukui+graduated+from+the+School+of+Political+Science+and+Economics%2C+Waseda+University+in+1995+and+completed+his+postgraduate+study+at+Waseda+University+in+2025.+He+joined+Navix+Line+%28now+MOL%29+in+1995%2C+seconded+to+MITSUI+O.S.K.+BULK+SHIPPING+%28EUROPE%29+in+2012%2C+became+head+of+the+Dry+Bulk+Business+Strategy+Department+at+MOL+in+2023%2C+became+Director%2C+Managing+Executive+Officer+of+%3Cb%3EMOL+Drybulk%3C%2Fb%3E+in+2024%2C+and+has+held+his+current+position+since+April+2025.+His+favorite+saying+is%2C+%E2%80%9CKeep+your+antennae+up%2C+be+humble%2C+be+proactive%2C+and+be+a+man+of+few+words.%E2%80%9C+Born+in+August+1971%2C+53+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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【新トップに聞く】商船三井ドライバルク社長　福井利明氏、ドライを稼げる事業に

2025/07/09(水)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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