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日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Sep 17, 2025 (Wed)

‌【Interview】MB Shipbrokers Management on Strategy in Japanese Market

(From the right) Mr. Plougmand, Mr. Sato, Mr. Hald, and Mr. Vium-Urelix

　MB Shipbrokers (formerly Maersk Broker), a major Danish shipbroker, is leveraging its strong networ ・・・続きはログインして下さいnext %E3%80%80MB+Shipbrokers+%28formerly+Maersk+Broker%29%2C+a+major+Danish+shipbroker%2C+is+leveraging+its+strong+network+with+Japanese+and+international+shipowners+and+shipyards+to+increase+its+presence+in+the+Japanese+market.+We+spoke+to+the+company%E2%80%99s+management+team%2C+including+CEO+%28Chief+Executive+Officer%29+Anders+Hald%2C+who+visited+Japan%2C+about+the+latest+trends+in+the+shipping+and+shipbuilding+markets.+%3Cbr%3E%28Interviewer%3A+Azumi+Kashiwai%29+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Business+negotiations+are+active+again+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--I%E2%80%99d+like+to+know+about+MB+Shipbrokers%E2%80%99+activities+in+the+Japanese+market+this+year.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CDue+to+the+sluggish+bulker+charter+market+in+the+first+half+of+this+year%2C+newbuilding+charter+projects%2C+which+combine+newbuilding+orders+from+Japanese+shipowners+with+medium-+to+long-term+charter+from+overseas+shipping+companies%2C+decreased+slightly+compared+to+last+year.+However%2C+with+the+charter+market+picking+up+in+recent+months%2C+negotiations+are+becoming+more+active+again.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+market+for+small+and+medium-sized+vessels%2C+particularly+Handysize+and+Ultramax+vessels%2C+is+strong%2C+creating+a+positive+atmosphere.+Our+newbuilding+brokerage+performance+for+the+full+year+2025+will+likely+exceed+last+year%E2%80%99s+performance.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Japanese+shipowners%E2%80%99+ingenuity+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--While+new+shipbuilding+prices+remain+high%2C+the+price+gap+with+long-term+charter+rates+remains.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+market+remains+challenging+for+Japanese+shipowners.+It+is+difficult+to+make+sense+of+the+traditional+5-7+year+fixed+rate+charter+contract+model+used+by+Japanese+shipowners.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+this+context%2C+some+shipowners+are+increasingly+investing+more+of+their+own+capital+and+opting+for+shorter-term+charters+and+index-linked+charters+with+floors+and+ceilings.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWith+the+favorable+market+conditions+of+the+past+two+to+three+years+and+profits+from+the+sale+of+ships+through+the+exercise+of+Purchase+Options%2C+Japanese+shipowners+are+prepared+to+invest+more+of+their+own+funds%2C+taking+on+middle-risk%2C+middle-return+strategies+and+enjoying+the+benefits+from+the+favorable+period.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFor+many+years%2C+Japanese+shipowners%E2%80%99+business+models+were+very+rigid%2C+but+now+they+are+becoming+more+creative+and+have+more+options.+Japanese+financial+institutions%2C+which+have+supported+the+long-term+charter+model%2C+are+also+becoming+more+flexible.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Leasing+company+provides+financing+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+impact+is+the+United+States+Trade+Representative%E2%80%99s+%28USTR%29+port+entry+fee+system+having+on+Chinese+shipyards%E2%80%99+order-taking+activities%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIf+you+had+asked+me+this+question+six+months+ago%2C+I+would+have+said+that+most+shipping+companies+would+be+reluctant+to+place+orders+with+China.+However%2C+in+reality%2C+many+European+shipowners+continue+to+place+orders+with+China.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+rules+for+the+port+entry+fees+were+clarified+this+spring%2C+and+it+has+become+clear+that+they+are+not+that+strict.+Orders+from+China+are+not+seen+as+a+problem%2C+especially+for+the+small+and+medium-sized+ship+sector+where+rules+have+been+relaxed.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CMeanwhile%2C+on+the+financing+side%2C+some+European+shipowners+are+looking+to+diversify+their+sources+of+funding.+We+have+been+approached+by+several+Greek+shipowners+who+are+concerned+about+the+impact+of+the+USTR+rules.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThese+European+shipowners+are+switching+to+sale+and+leaseback+arrangements+%28S%26LBs%2C+leaseback+after+sale%29+with+Japanese+shipowners%2C+or+to+direct+financing+offered+by+Japanese+leasing+companies.+This+is+a+good+opportunity+for+Japanese+leasing+companies+to+develop+overseas+business+rights%2C+and+we+are+supporting+them+in+several+projects.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CEuropean+shipowners+want+to+complete+new+refinancing+by+this+autumn+when+the+port+entry+fees+are+due+to+be+introduced%2C+so+business+negotiations+need+to+be+expedited.+Japanese+leasing+companies+are+offering+more+competitive+interest+rates+than+last+year%2C+which+is+helping+to+close+deals.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Increase+in+feeder+orders+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+types+of+ships+are+European+shipowners+continuing+to+order+from+China%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFor+the+past+four+to+six+months%2C+there+has+been+a+significant+increase+in+orders+for+feeder+container+ships+from+China.+In+August+alone%2C+Chinese+shipyards+received+more+than+40+newbuilding+contracts+for+feeder+container+ships.+This+is+a+positive+trend+for+Japanese+bulker+yards%2C+as+it+means+less+competition+from+Chinese+shipbuilders.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--+What+are+your+thoughts+on+Japanese+shipowners+placing+orders+with+Chinese+shipyards%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIt+will+continue+to+increase.+Currently%2C+the+price+difference+between+Japanese+and+Chinese+shipbuilders+is+around+15-20%25.+Generally%2C+Japanese+shipowners+prefer+to+build+their+ships+in+Japan%2C+but+if+they+can+get+a+discount+of%2C+say%2C+%243+million+off+the+ship+price%2C+that%E2%80%99s+a+good+reason+to+choose+a+Chinese+shipyard+with+a+reputation+for+quality+construction.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0Ship+prices+remain+flat+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+is+your+outlook+for+future+ship+prices%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+expect+the+prices+to+remain+basically+flat.+Inflation+remains+high.+Steel+prices+are+relatively+high%2C+and+labor+shortages+are+a+major+issue+not+only+in+Japan+but+also+in+South+Korea+and+China.+Japanese+shipyards+have+order+backlogs+that+extend+to+at+least+2028.+South+Korea+and+China+have+also+almost+fully+booked+their+2027+delivery+dates+and+covered+the+entire+2028+delivery+period.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+the+recent+trends+surrounding+PO%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+can+understand+the+feelings+of+Japanese+shipowners+regarding+the+recent+exercise+of+POs+by+European+operators.+In+the+future%2C+many+Japanese+shipowners+will+likely+avoid+granting+POs+or+consider+changing+their+traditional+long-term+fixed+charter+business+model.+Meanwhile%2C+POs+will+remain+a+requirement+for+some+operators+due+to+the+European+tonnage+tax+and+other+political+and+commercial+considerations.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Regulatory+compliance+support+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+impact+will+the+EU%E2%80%99s+Emissions+Trading+System+%E2%80%9CEU-ETS%E2%80%9C+and+marine+fuel+regulation+%E2%80%9CFuelEU+Maritime%E2%80%9C+have%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CRules+are+becoming+increasingly+complex%2C+putting+the+competitiveness+of+trade+to+and+from+Europe+at+risk.+For+small+shipowners+and+operators%2C+simply+having+the+necessary+in-house+knowledge+to+comply+with+the+regulations+is+a+significant+burden.+As+an+advisory+service%2C+we+provide+insight+into+the+rules%2C+their+impact+and+how+to+respond%2C+and+we+are+seeing+an+increasing+demand+for+this+support.%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%E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