日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Sep 02, 2025 (Tue)

‌【Interview】Mr. Hirata Managing Officer of MOL’s Dry Bulk Business Division, on Expansion Strategy

Koichi Hirata, Managing Executive Officer and General Manager of Dry Bulk Business Division, MOL

　MOL has one of the world’s largest dry bulk carrier fleets, with 350 vessels. How can it strengthen ・・・ 続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+has+one+of+the+world%E2%80%99s+largest+dry+bulk+carrier+fleets%2C+with+350+vessels.+How+can+it+strengthen+its+business+in+the+highly+volatile+dry+bulk+market%3F+We+spoke+to+Managing+Executive+Officer+Koichi+Hirata%2C+who+was+appointed+head+of+the+Dry+Bulk+Business+Division+in+April%2C+about+the+company%E2%80%99s+growth+strategy.+%3Cbr%3E%28Interviewer%3A+Azumi+Kashiwai%29+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+aspirations+as+the+new+head+of+the+Dry+Bulk+Business+Division%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CMy+biggest+goal+is+to+increase+the+presence+of+our+dry+bulk+business+and+strengthen+our+profitability+to+achieve+that+goal.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWhile+the+dry+bulk+business+accounted+for+23%25%2C+or+just+under+a+quarter%2C+of+our+consolidated+sales+for+FY+2024%2C+ordinary+profit+for+the+segment+was+only+15.4+billion+yen%2C+or+4%25+of+the+total.+Large+sales+also+mean+the+investment+of+many+assets+and+human+resources%2C+and+we+need+to+generate+a+return+that+matches+that.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+Dry+Bulk+Business+Division+is+made+up+of+six+divisions+and+business+companies%2C+and+is+involved+in+a+wide+range+of+businesses%2C+from+ocean+and+coastal+shipping+to+new+business+development.+Taking+into+account+the+characteristics+of+each+business%2C+we+will+hone+our+strengths+and+pursue+overall+optimization+and+improvement+as+a+headquarters.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFrom+the+next+fiscal+year%2C+our+group+will+enter+Phase+2+%282026-2030%29+of+our+management+plan%2C+%E2%80%99BLUE+ACTION+2035%E2%80%99.+Now+that+the+container+boom+following+the+coronavirus+pandemic+has+subsided%2C+we+want+the+dry+bulk+business+to+contribute+profits+and+demonstrate+our+presence+as+one+of+the+pillars+supporting+the+growth+of+the+group.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Increase+company+owned+ships+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+do+you+plan+to+strengthen+your+profitability%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+the+history+of+our+dry+bulk+business%2C+we+have+undergone+two+restructurings+since+the+Global+Financial+Crisis%2C+after+which+we+incurred+large+losses+and+had+to+return+high-cost%2C+long-term+chartered+vessels+early.+Because+of+this+bitter+experience%2C+over+the+past+decade+or+so+we+have+focused+on+a+%E2%80%99light+asset+strategy%E2%80%99+that+utilizes+short-term+charter+vessels+to+increase+our+resilience+to+market+fluctuations.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+strategy+links+costs+to+fluctuations+in+the+freight+market%2C+so+we+don%E2%80%99t+incur+huge+losses%2C+but+our+profit+margins+are+also+thin.+For+example%2C+even+if+we+secure+a+high+freight+rate+for+cargo+during+a+boom%2C+our+profits+will+be+offset+by+renting+a+ship+from+the+market+for+a+short+period+at+a+high+charter+rate.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+need+to+evolve+to+a+new+level+to+increase+profits.+We+need+to+achieve+high+profits+during+market+booms%2C+while+increasing+resilience+during+market+downturns.+One+solution+to+this+challenge+is+to+have+ships+that+are+highly+cost-competitive.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFrom+this+perspective%2C+we+will+change+our+fleet+development+policy+and+increase+cost-competitive+medium-+to+long-term+chartered+vessels+and+owned+vessels+to+appropriately+expand+our+exposure.+Eventually%2C+we+would+like+to+use+our+Singapore+subsidiary%2C+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Ocean+Bulk%2C+as+the+base+for+owning+ships.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Capital+gains+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+benefits+of+owning+our+own+ships+include+stable+cost+competitiveness+and+capital+gains+%28profits+on+sale%29.+This+will+not+only+allow+us+to+enjoy+high+profits+during+good+times%2C+but+also+help+us+to+improve+our+business+resilience+when+the+market+is+tough.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CHistorically%2C+as+an+operator%2C+we+have+made+it+a+rule+not+to+sell+ships+during+times+of+market+upswings%2C+but+to+make+money+through+operations.+However%2C+looking+at+the+industry+more+broadly%2C+there+are+many+owners+and+operators+who+are+accumulating+profits+through+capital+gains+during+booms.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+same+can+be+said+for+the+business+model+of+some+of+the+shipping+divisions+of+major+trading+companies%2C+which+base+their+businesses+on+both+trading+%28brokerage+of+new+vessels%2C+secondhand+vessels%2C+etc.%29+and+owning.+Of+course%2C+this+is+a+big+challenge+for+us+and+comes+with+risks%2C+but+we+would+like+to+use+it+as+a+new+means+of+expanding+profits+and+achieving+stability.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COf+course%2C+increasing+exposure+involves+risks%2C+but+high+profits+cannot+be+achieved+without+risk-taking.+The+question+is+how+to+accurately+grasp+and+control+risks.+It+is+important+to+share+this+sense+of+balance+and+resolve+with+management+and+gain+their+understanding+before+investing.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+do+you+develop+your+own+fleet%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+addition+to+ordering+new+ships%2C+we+would+like+to+consider+purchasing+secondhand+vessels.+In+terms+of+chartered+ships+with+Purchase+Options+in+our+fleet%2C+we+can+make+them+our+own+ships+when+the+time+comes+to+exercise+the+Purchase+Options.+Also%2C+we+may+acquire+or+invest+in+shipping+companies+that+own+high-quality+ships.+These+are+effective+means+to+buy+time.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CTo+give+an+example%2C+in+March+of+this+year%2C+we+agreed+to+share+three+new+Capesize+vessels+%28scheduled+for+completion+by+Qingdao+Beihai+Shipbuilding+in+China+between+2026+and+2027%29%2C+which+are+the+world%E2%80%99s+first+ammonia+dual-fuel+vessels%2C+with+CMB.TECH%2C+a+Belgian+shipping+major%2C+allowing+us+to+add+state-of-the-art+vessels+with+short+delivery+times+to+our+fleet.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+To+the+global+market+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+approach+will+you+take+in+terms+of+regional+strategy%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COne+direction+of+change%2C+to+put+it+simply%2C+is+to+move+away+from+an+over-reliance+on+the+Japanese+market.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWith+Japan%E2%80%99s+declining+population+and+Japanese+shippers+expanding+globally%2C+the+volume+of+cargo+departing+from+and+arriving+in+Japan+will+inevitably+hit+a+plateau.+On+the+other+hand%2C+globally%2C+demand+for+dry+bulk+marine+transport+will+continue+to+grow.+While+capturing+market+changes%2C+we+will+continue+to+firmly+maintain+our+coastal+and+ocean-going+shipping+businesses+while+seeking+growth+opportunities+globally.+This+requires+us+to+change+the+way+we+work.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COne+of+the+core+businesses+is+our+local+subsidiary+in+Singapore%2C+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Ocean+Bulk.+In+April%2C+the+overseas+business+of+iron+ore+carriers+was+transferred+from+the+Tokyo+headquarters+to+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Ocean+Bulk.+The+company+has+also+been+entrusted+with+chartering+of+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+operated+by+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Drybulk.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COf+course%2C+the+importance+of+the+Japanese+market+remains+unchanged.+Japanese+shippers%2C+shipowners+and+shipyards+remain+our+core+partners+and+a+source+of+strength.+By+finding+growth+avenues+in+the+global+market+and+strengthening+our+business%2C+we+will+fully+fulfill+our+responsibility+to+support+Japan%E2%80%99s+lifelines.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+New+fuels+and+wind+power+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+can+you+reduce+environmental+impact%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+a+first+mover%2C+we+want+to+lead+the+way+in+low-carbon+and+decarbonization+in+the+dry+bulk+shipping+industry.+The+key+is+fuel+conversion%2C+but+we+need+to+find+the+optimal+solution+depending+on+the+ship+type+and+business+characteristics.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CSpecifically%2C+we+are+promoting+the+use+of+LNG+%28liquefied+natural+gas%29+and+ammonia+as+fuel+for+Capesize+vessels.+For+small+and+medium-sized+bulkers+with+restrictions+such+as+fuel+tank+space%2C+we+are+proactively+installing+wind+assisted+propulsion+systems+such+as+the+rigid+sail+system+%E2%80%99Wind+Challenger%E2%80%99.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAt+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Drybulk%2C+we+launched+the+GX+Promotion+Project+Team+this+year.+As+one+of+the+targets%2C+we+actively+promote+the+use+of+biofuels.+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Drybulk+operates+approximately+200+vessels+of+a+wide+variety+of+types+and+shapes.+We+are+holding+systematic+discussions+with+each+shipowner+and+ship+management+company%2C+and+working+closely+with+the+relevant+departments+at+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+to+secure+a+supply+of+biofuel+and+ensure+safe+operation.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--In+January+of+this+year%2C+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+acquired+Gearbulk+Holding%2C+the+largest+Swiss+operator+of+open-hatch+box-shaped+vessels%2C+as+a+consolidated+subsidiary.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+are+currently+working+on+post-merger+integration+%28PMI%29+and+aim+to+maximize+profit+opportunities+together+with+Marubeni%2C+who+has+invested+in+us+as+a+new+shareholder.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFurthermore%2C+we+will+pursue+synergies+between+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Drybulk+and+%E2%80%99G2+Ocean%E2%80%99%2C+the+world%E2%80%99s+largest+open+hatch+vessel+pool+operator+operated+by+Gearbulk+and+Norwegian+company+Grieg+Maritime.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Business+reform+through+DX+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+will+you+develop+human+resources%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+order+to+advance+our+global+expansion%2C+it+is+essential+that+we+attract+more+and+more+international+talent+to+join+our+team.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COur+traditional+way+of+working+has+been+based+on+a+craftsman-like+mindset.+We+have+developed+multitasking+personnel+with+a+wide+range+of+skills%2C+including+chartering+and+operations%2C+and+have+made+this+our+strength.+However%2C+this+method+takes+time+to+train+employees%2C+and+it+is+difficult+to+recruit+flexibly+to+accommodate+the+increasing+fluidity+of+human+resources.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+is+where+digital+technology+comes+in%2C+and+we+make+the+most+of+it.+Together+with+our+Technology+and+Digital+Strategy+Division%2C+we+will+change+the+way+dry+bulk-related+work+gets+done.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9COne+example+is+the+work+we+are+doing+at+our+dry+bulk+fleet+operation+center+in+Manila+%28Philippines%29.+Since+last+year%2C+we+have+been+collaborating+with+the+DX+Co-Creation+Unit+to+develop+SOPs+%28standard+operating+procedures%29+that+break+down+operating+procedures.+We+are+working+to+put+in+place+a+system+that+will+enable+us+to+develop+human+resources+and+hire+employees+in+line+with+the+global+market%2C+as+well+as+improve+quality.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Koichi+Hirata+graduated+from+the+School+of+Economics%2C+Kwansei+Gakuin+University+in+1992+and+joined+Mitsui+O.S.K.+Lines+%28now+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E%29.+In+2019%2C+he+became+General+Manager%2C+Car+Carrier+Division%3B+in+2023%2C+Executive+Officer%3B+and+in+2024%2C+Group+Executive+Officer+and+President+of+%3Cb%3EMOL%3C%2Fb%3E+Drybulk.+In+April+2025%2C+he+assumed+his+current+position.+Born+in+Nara+Prefecture.+His+motto+is+%E2%80%9CRow+Out.%E2%80%9C+%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

【新本部長に聞く】商船三井常務執行役員ドライバルク事業本部長・平田浩一氏、収益強化 プレゼンス向上

2025/09/02(火)

日本海事新聞 JMD

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