Communications are the press relations consultancy for the Shipping and logistics industry
Please be advised that “K” LINE Tokyo Head Office published the following press release today.
Please refer to the attached PDF documents for details.
・Financial Highlights for 1st Quarter FY2025
This document is also available on their website both in English and Japanese.
ICHCA, the independent organisation dedicated to improving the safety in cargo handling globally, is continuing to present its analytical tool designed to focus attention of the critical dangers to life and limb in the sector. It highlights the need for concerted, on-going risk management in the shore-side cargo handling work environment.
London, 31st July 2025
In a unique analysis of near 500 incidents involving shore workers over the last twenty-five years, the ICHCA Severe Risks Dashboard details important findings that all in the industry need to be cognisant of every day. Key findings include:
The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) has used data going back to the year 2000, to research causes of workplace fatalities in the global cargo handling sector. While it is understood that the dataset can’t be comprehensive, it does give a unique insight into the nature of the majority of incidents resulting in a fatality on a worldwide basis.
“Our intention is to raise the level of awareness of these fatal incidents and their primary causes. Together with our members, we believe that safeguarding all workers employed both directly and indirectly in the workplace is the prime responsibility of operating organizations and authorities of cargo terminals. Through this greater awareness and knowledge, we aim to help minimize these risks in the future,” comments Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA International.
The Severe Risks Dashboard is routinely updated and is provided by ICHCA for download ICHCA Severe Risks Dashboard – ICHCA International. An example of the analysis it contains is presented below.
The bare facts and data don’t tell the whole story. Individual circumstances surrounding these unfortunate events are pivotal to causes and outcomes. Trends however can be discerned and point the way to necessary ongoing improvements in safety protocols.
As such, the Dashboard also considers how best to mitigate incidents and their consequences depending on the causal circumstances, beyond the above mentioned crush by cargo and pedestrian accidents, to include fall from height, operating in confined or enclosed spaces, loading and discharge, maintenance and operating of handling equipment and third-party vehicle access. Advising such precautionary steps as:
“Creating a safer, healthier workplace is not just the prime responsibility of those managing our industry, it also makes sound business sense; safe organisations are sustainable organisations,” Steele concludes. “This is the passion of ICHCA and its members. We believe the future of safety is not beyond the horizon but that we can make changes to the way we work right now. ICHCA’s on-going attention to the causes of fatalities is one part of ICHCA’s contribution to these changes.”
Access to detailed graphics illustrating some of the statistics presented are available on request.
About ICHCA International
Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.
July 30, 2025
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that it opened a representative office in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on June 15, 2025.
Qatar is one of the world’s largest natural gas producers and LNG exporters, with production expected to continue to expand in the future. In addition, Qatar and the Middle East are not only energy exporters, the region is also one of the leaders in the markets for low-carbon and decarbonization, including clean fuels. In addition to our existing Middle East office in Dubai, the newly opened Doha office will seek out new business opportunities, including those in the energy transportation business.
We will evolve and develop our marketing and sales capabilities through close ties with our customers in Qatar and the Middle East region, and by responding to their needs. We will further strengthen our partnerships and strive to achieve sustainable growth.
Outline of new office:
| Name | Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (QFC Branch) |
| Office Location | Doha, State of Qatar |
| Representative | Goichi Tsuruta (planned) |
| Busines start date | August 3, 2025 (planned) |
“Fire Drill Exercise on Board 2025” Held
On June 24, 2025, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) participated in the “Fire Drill Exercise on Board 2025” held at Berth A5 of Namyong Terminal PCL in Laem Chabang Port, Thailand. The drill was conducted to simulate a realistic onboard emergency in order to verify inter-agency coordination and strengthen emergency response capabilities.
The drill was conducted onboard the car carrier BALTIMORE HIGHWAY, operated by “K” LINE, with participation from the ship’s crew, Namyong Terminal PCL, the Vessel Traffic Control and Maritime Security Office (VTCMSO) under the Marine Department of Thailand, Port Authority of Thailand, as well as the local fire department and port emergency medical services. The exercise simulated a complex emergency scenario in which a fire breaks out onboard during cargo handling operations and one worker goes missing.
The drill involved not only firefighting operations conducted by the vessel’s crew in coordination with the local fire department but also search and rescue efforts—resulting in comprehensive emergency response training.
By practicing fire response procedures, information sharing protocols, and coordinated actions, participating organizations confirmed their ability to respond swiftly and safely in the event of an emergency. The drill offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen practical safety measures and improve inter-agency collaboration.
The “K” LINE Group will continue to strengthen collaboration with all relevant parties through similar drills and safety initiatives globally. By doing so, we aim to further enhance the safety of port cargo handling and vessel operations, while contributing to the protection of the marine environment.
The “K” LINE Group conducted worldwide clea nup activities during the period before and after World Oceans Day* on June 8, with employees from Group companies joining voluntarily.
Along with climate change, the Group has positioned its efforts to conserve biodiversity, particularly in the oceans, as an important environmental issue in its business activities, and has been continuing these activities since FY2023.
This year, more than 600 employees and their families from 17 Group companies around the world took part in the activities during the two-month period around World Oceans Day from the end of May to early July. They collected garbage on beaches, areas around offices, riversides, and other places on land, which is said to account for 70 to 80% of marine plastic. The total volume of garbage collected amounted to about 10,700 litres, and both the number of participants and the amount collected reached record highs. We also plan to make donations to environmental conservation activities based on the number of participants in this activity.
Moving forward, the “K” LINE Group will continue to make every effort to realize one of the Group’s values—contributing to the global environment and a sustainable society—by raising employees’ awareness of environmental conservation through activities like these.
* World Oceans Day was established by the United Nations in 2009 to think about and acknowledge the oceans. On this globally recognized day, seaside cleanup activities and educational events are held in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE)
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
The Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA)
Recognising the critical importance of training and securing highly skilled Japanese seafarers to maintain and further develop maritime transport, which is a vital infrastructure for Japan’s economy and daily life, major Japanese ocean-going shipping companies, NYK Line (President: Takaya Soga, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), MOL (President: Takeshi Hashimoto, Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo), and “K” LINE (President: Takenori Igarashi, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), along with the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA) (President: Hitoshi Nagasawa, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), have initiated concrete discussions regarding the donation of a large-sized training vessel to the Japan Agency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafarers (JMETS) from the Japanese ocean-going shipping industry.
As identified in the report by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)’s study group on JMETS’s medium-term strategy, JMETS has been facing various challenges such as an unstable financial foundation, fewer actual on-board training days due to escalating fuel costs, shortages of instructors and crew, and the issue of accommodating students with varying proficiency levels and qualification goals on the same training vessel. These factors make it challenging for JMETS to provide sufficient on-board training, and additionally JMETS is also facing the issue of aging training vessels and school buildings. Considering these circumstances affecting JMETS, our industry has decided to begin exploring the donation of a large-sized training vessel to actively support the steady progress of JMETS’s medium-term reforms based on MLIT’s study group report.
The first step will be to examine the concrete specifications for the training vessel and engage in discussions with shipyards, aiming for completion around 2030.
We sincerely hope that JMETS’s reforms will progress steadily based on the MLIT study group’s report, and that our donation of this training ship will contribute to the healthy and stable development of training and securing highly skilled Japanese seafarers.
Reference:
MLIT Study Group on the Future of JMETS (Japanese only):
https://www.mlit.go.jp/maritime/maritime_fr10_000040.html
Contact:
Public Relations Office, Planning Division, The Japanese Shipowners’ Association
Email: pub-office@jsanet.or.jp
Notes to Editors:
JMETS (Japan Agency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafarers) is Japan’s principal institution for seafarer education and training. It operates eight maritime schools and maintains a fleet of five large training vessels nationwide. – https://www.jmets.ac.jp/
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that K MARINE SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD. (hereinafter “KMSM”), our in-house ship management company, received the “MPA Safety@Sea Awards” from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of organizations and individuals who have contributed towards ensuring safer seas, and is presented across four distinct categories.
From left:
Capt. Shoji Fukuda, Chief Executive Officer, KMSM and Mr. Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
KMSM received the award in the “Outstanding Contribution to Search and Rescue Effort” category—an achievement attributed to the exemplary rescue operation performed in May 2024 by the M/T TONEGAWA, under KMSM`s management, in the Indian Ocean, which earned widespread acclaim. The vessel received a request for assistance in rescuing the crew of the fishing boat from MRCC Colombo (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center) and successfully rescued all six crew members.
The awards ceremony was held during the opening session of the International Safety@Sea Conference*1 on July 15, with Mr. Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive, MPA, in attendance.
The “K” LINE Group includes “providing safe and optimized services” as part of its corporate principle and vision. To fulfill its responsibilities to society through safe navigation, “K” LINE Group has established the following three policy pillars.*2
(1) Enhancing the management structure to ensure safety in navigation
(2) Strengthening the ship management structure
(3) Reinforcing the securing and training of maritime technical personnel
The “K” LINE Group will continue to work toward the realization of both social and economic value through excellence in safe navigation and transportation quality management, sustainable growth and increased corporate value by supporting the infrastructure of the global community as a partner trusted by all of its stakeholders.
*1 International Safety@Sea Conference:
The International Safety@Sea Conference is a key event held during the Safety@Sea Week, an annual initiative organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). It serves as a global platform to promote maritime safety and foster collaboration among international maritime professionals.
https://www.safetyatseaweek.gov.sg
*2 “K” LINE’s policy on promoting safe navigation:https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/social/safety.html
A car carrier with a capacity of 6,900 vehicles has been delivered to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) on July 18. The vessel is mainly fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and had been constructed by SHIN KURUSHIMA TOYOHASHI SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
A naming ceremony was held on the day of the delivery, and the vessel was named TETHYS HIGHWAY” (the “Vessel”) after a sea goddess from the Greek mythology by Mr. Tsuguo Fukumura, Senior Executive Officer of the shipper Isuzu Motors Limited.
Using LNG fuel is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30% and emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100% in comparison with conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil.
In “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 -Blue Seas for the Future-*¹, it has set the 2030 interim target of improving CO2 emissions efficiency by 50% compared with 2008, surpassing the IMO target of a 40% improvement. Furthermore, it sets its new target for 2050 as “The Challenge of Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions.” As an action plan, it will continue to work on the introduction of new fuels which have a low environmental impact and take on the challenge of achieving the targets it has established.
Vessel Particulars
Main Measure : LOA 199.96 meters x Beam 38.00 meters x Depth 38.07 meters x Draft 9.00 meters
Gross Ton : 75,259 tons
Speed : 19.00 KTS
Class : ClassNK
Flag : Japan
Builder : SHIN KURUSHIMA TOYOHASHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.
*1 “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future
As part of our action plan to reduce GHG, it is engaged in a number of initiatives, for instance introducing zero-emission fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen fuels, and carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels.
https://www.kline.co.jp/ja/sustainability/environment/management.html
“K” LINE selected as a Constituent of FTSE4Good Index Series, FTSE Blossom Japan Index and FTSE Blossom Sector Relative Index
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has been selected as a constituent of the “FTSE4Good Index Series”, one of the leading global indices for ESG investing, for the fourth year straight and 21st time in total. “K” LINE has also been listed as a constituent of “FTSE Blossom Japan Index” for eight years in a row and “FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index for the fourth consecutive year respectively, since those indices were initially launched.
Created by the global index provider FTSE Russell (the trading name of FTSE International Limited and Frank Russell Company), the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, selecting 1,175 companies from developed countries including 278 Japanese companies, and 870 companies from emerging countries. On the other hand, FTSE Blossom Japan Index and FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index reflect the performance of Japanese companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices (405 companies and 683 companies are selected respectively out of 1,347 constituents of FTSE Japan All Cap Index). These indices have been adopted as a benchmark of ESG investing by Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) in Japan. Those indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.
The “K” LINE Group regards “sustainability management” as one of the key issues for achieving medium- to long-term enhancement of corporate value, and aims to create both economic and social values in a sustainable manner by striving to achieve both the continuous development of the Group and its contribution to a sustainable society. Going forward, the “K” LINE Group will continue to contribute to the resolution of social issues, including climate change, while pursuing growth opportunities and enhancing corporate value.
DACHSER is utilizing its customs expertise and its leading European groupage network to introduce the new ‘Smart Landbridge Connect’ service. As before Brexit, the logistics provider is now once again driving from Ireland across the British landbridge to continental Europe. Compared to ferry connections, this route offers more flexibility, shorter transit times and more frequent departures. This makes DACHSER the first major logistics provider to revive this Pre-Brexit service.
Following the launch of the Smart Border Connect customs service last year, which offers British exporters smoother access to the European market, DACHSER has found another way to speed up the flow of goods from the British Isles to continental Europe. The logistics provider is now introducing the new Smart Landbridge Connect service, which brings goods from Ireland to mainland Europe via the UK. It offers up to 40 weekly departures to destinations in 35 countries.
As the direct ferry connections between Irish ports and mainland Europe only allow limited capacity, the number of departures is restricted and severe weather frequently causes interruptions, access to the continental European markets has become much more difficult for Irish exporters. This is where DACHSER’s new transport service comes in, offering smoother connections for the transportation of goods. “By restoring a fast and efficient UK Landbridge option, DACHSER is creating a competitive advantage for Irish exporters,” says John Van Den Berg, Managing Director of DACHSER Ireland. “By utilising a simple T2 transit procedure, Irish trade can move seamlessly through the UK for onward connection through the Channel Tunnel, allowing Irish trade to reach European destinations more quickly and efficiently”, he adds.
High-quality-network
Irish customers will benefit from DACHSER’s high-quality groupage network, which annually handles over 77 million shipments through the logistics provider’s 220 own-operated branches across the continent. The reliability, transparency, and security of DACHSER’s in-house IT-systems and eLogistics platform offer peace of mind, particularly for Irish pharmaceutical and hazardous cargo shippers, as well as exporters in general. “Ultimately, it is our own network of offices in Ireland, the UK, and across continental Europe that enables us to provide the highest level of reassurance – something that is paramount to our customers,” concludes Van Den Berg.
For more information about Smart Landbridge Connect, watch the video: https://www.dachser.ie/en/smart-landbridge-connect
About Dachser
Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customized services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser
European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.
Thanks to some 37,300 employees at 433 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 8 billion in 2024. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 83.2 million shipments with a tonnage of 44.1 million metric tons. Country organizations represent Dachser in 43 countries. For more information about Dachser, please visit www.dachser.com