July 14, 2011
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) completed a dedicated vessel contract for grain raw material transportation, from North America Gulf, West Coasts and Australia using Panamax and Handymax type vessels, with the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Group).
The distribution volume of domestic mixed grains varies between 24 -25 million tons a year, and the handling amount of JA Group accounts for about 30 percent. In concluding all contracts, “K” Line will transport about two million tons of grain for JA Group in total.
JA Group aims to provide a constant supply of grain to Japan through the efficiency of this transportation system, effected by the reliability and dependability of these vessels, and consequently helping in the support of production of Japan’s domestic stock raising farmers.
““K” LINE Vision 100 – New Challenges” is the mid-term management plan that the Company announced in April, which includes a fleet expansion plan for mainly small and medium-sized bulk vessels. This plan encourages efforts to promote a stronger relationship with the JA Group, including a series of contracts in the future similar to this current one, which will strive to achieve our mission for “Expansion of stable earnings base and sustainable growth”.