"K" Line

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that it has received a visit from  16 students from International Trading Institute, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University (SMU).

Since its establishment in 2000, SMU has produced a large number of human resources to trading industry, including marine transportation, and offers Industry Study Mission, overseas company visit programme, for students specializing in maritime business or global trading. This year, Tokyo was selected as the place to visit, and “K” LINE has decided to cooperate on the programme since Singapore is an important business base for the company.

At the company visit on May 13, 2025, “K” LINE offered a two-hour programme, including a lecture on its business and environmental initiatives followd by a Q&A session, during which the students asked various questions actively. They seemed to be particularly interested in “K” LINE’s environmental initiatives.

“K” LINE will continue to promote understanding of the shipping industry by accepting company visits and cooperate in the development of the next generation.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has released a video on its official website explaining the progress of its medium-term management plan and the results for FY2024. Initially shared on “K” Line With, the Group’s internal video communication platform, the video is now available to a broader audience.

“K”LINE’s latest video on Financial results for FY2024 & Medium-term Management plan Progress

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/corporate/kline_with.html

“K” Line With details the progress of the medium-term management plan on a quarterly basis, providing explanations of the latest earnings forecasts and also focuses on initiatives which consider the three important points of the medium-term management plan, specifically, the business strategy, the functional strategy and the capital policy. By doing so, it communicates the progress in the medium-term management plan to people in the “K” LINE Group and a broad range of other stakeholders.

The first half of the video explains the FY2024 earnings results and FY2025 earnings forecasts.

The latter half of the video details how “K” LINE will be a company that is chosen by customers and partners through continuous efforts to strengthen its functional strategy and achieves a growth strategy capitalizing on low carbon and decarbonization initiatives as opportunities.

“K” LINE has posted the video on its official website in addition to “K” Line With to make outside stakeholders more aware of the Company’s activities. “K” LINE also aims to deepen understanding of the medium-term management plan among business sites on land and sea within the Group, globally promote internal communication and information sharing, encourage a sense of solidarity as a source of the Group’s strength, and reinforce the foundation of its business operations.

(A news release related to “K” Line With)
November 17, 2023: Sharing Information within the Group Using Video Communication Site for Employees “K” Line With
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/other/other-20231117.html

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 FY2024

This document is also available on their website both in English and Japanese.

( <https://www.kline.co.jp/en/>)

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that a joint venture company *¹ held naming ceremony for 174,000m3 LNG vessel for QatarEnergy *² at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd on 17 April.  The vessel was named “AL TUWAR” by Ms. Shi Dai, Director and President of China Merchants Group Limited. is derived from the name of a hill in Al Wakrah, a major city in Qatar.

The vessel is the first of a series of 12 LNG vessels that the joint venture companies will build for QatarEnergy.

QatarEnergy is the world’s largest LNG producer and will allocate the newbuilding vessels to transport LNG around the world.

The newbuilding vessel is equipped with X-DF 2.1 iCER *³ which will contribute to reduction of GHG emissions and realize the ease of environmental impact by lower fuel consumption in operation.

In its Medium-Term Management Plan published in May 2022*⁴, “K” LINE has placed LNG business as one of the top priority areas in the future investment. “K” LINE will further expand long-term contracts and accommodate growing energy demands by responding to various customers’ needs.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has decided to provide a monetary donation of 2 million yen through the Japanese Red Cross Society toward relief efforts in the areas damaged by the earthquake that hit the central Myanmar on March 28, 2025.

“K” LINE would express its most sincere sympathy to all those affected by the earthquake and pray for the soonest recovery of the damaged area.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO: Takenori Igarashi, hereinafter ““K” LINE”) and Kamigumi Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kobe City, Hyogo, President & CEO: Yoshihiro Fukai, hereinafter “Kamigumi”) concluded a share transfer agreement on September 27, 2024, under which “K” LINE would establish a holding company that would become the parent company of “K” LINE LOGISTICS, LTD. (hereinafter “K” LINE LOGISTICS) to which “K” LINE would transfer all of the shares of “K” LINE LOGISTICS held by “K” LINE, and “K” LINE would transfer 47% of the total shares of the holding company to Kamigumi.

“K” LINE today announces that it has transferred 47% of the total shares of the holding company, established on February 14, 2025, in accordance with the details of the agreement, to Kamigumi.

Outline of the Joint Holding Company

Reference

News Release on September 27, 2024:

Notice of the Establishment of a Holding Company of Consolidated Subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE LOGISTICS, LTD.) and the Partial Transfer of the Company’s Shares to Kamigumi Co., Ltd.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/logistics/logistics-20240927.html

News Release on February 14, 2025:

Notice of the Establishment of a Holding Company of Consolidated Subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE LOGISTICS, LTD.) and the Partial Transfer of the Company’s Shares to Kamigumi Co., Ltd. (2)

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/logistics/logistics-20250214.html

On April 1, Takenori Igarashi, Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) made his inaugural speech at its head office.

The environment surrounding us is changing at an unprecedented speed. There is the spread of technologies to reduce our environmental impact and the construction of supply chains for the use of new energy as part of decarbonization; the rapid and widespread advance of digital transformation, which includes the use of generative AI; and efforts not only to address the shortage of human resources in various parts of the world, but also to secure diverse human resources and collaborate across industries.

Recently, in addition to the uncertain outlook for geopolitical risks in places such as the Middle East and Ukraine, since the inauguration of the new presidency in the United States this January, uncertainty over global energy and trade policies has also increased. There are moves to introduce policies that could have a major impact on the speed of the shift toward low-carbon and decarbonization, as well as on the supply chain and transportation demand itself, with the raising of customs tariffs on specific countries and products, and the introduction of port entry fees at US ports for ships operated by Chinese shipping companies and ships built in China. The uncertainty of the current business environment outlook is increasing.

Despite these conditions, the “K” LINE Group, under the leadership of former President Yukikazu Myochin, has been steadily advancing a five-year medium-term management plan announced in May 2022, and is bolstering the earnings base of its own businesses, centered on three businesses that will drive growth, by viewing changes such as decarbonization as business opportunities.

In the Coal & Iron Ore Carrier Business, we are working to further strengthen the relationships we have cultivated with customers in Japan, South Korea and China by leveraging customer-oriented and environmental sales. At the same time, we are also working to strengthen relationships with customers in the Indian and Middle Eastern markets, and with major resources companies.

In the Car Carrier Business, we are strengthening our earnings base in a way that meets the needs of our customers by reorganizing our route network, introducing environmentally friendly vessels that achieve low carbon emissions, and increasing the volume of High & Heavy cargo.

In the LNG Carrier Business, in addition to the existing markets of Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe, we are stepping up our efforts in new markets such as Southeast Asia and India, and are on track to expand from our current fleet size of 46 vessels to 65 vessels by fiscal 2026.

Our new business initiatives are also progressing smoothly. The Northern Lights Project in Norway for liquefied CO2 transportation will enter full-scale operation this year, with ship management due to begin for three vessels. In offshore wind power generation support, a Japanese geological survey ship was launched in September of last year, and business development has begun.

We are also working to further strengthen the three functions that form the basis of our strengths (Safety and Ship Quality Management, Advancement of Environmental Technologies, and Digital Transformation), and the human resources and organization that support them. In Safety and Ship Quality Management, we will continue to enhance our safe operation and management system, strengthen our ship management system, and secure and train excellent seafarers to further promote “K” LINE’s top priority of safety in navigation and cargo operations.

In Advancement of Environmental Technologies, we will further integrate our environmental response and technology evolution efforts into a unified strategy, and seek to expand growth opportunities for “K” LINE and society as a whole through low carbon and decarbonization.

In Digital Transformation (DX), we plan to expand and enhance our digital infrastructure by driving DX of data and DX of human resources as defined in our DX Strategy, and to create added value for customers by strengthening our own competitiveness through furthering the digitalization of our own operations and vessels.

I believe that further refining these strengths will support our business in this rapidly changing business environment.

As a logistics company rooted in the shipping industry, “K” LINE’s corporate philosophy is to help make the lives of people more affluent. Working under this philosophy, we operate as a partner that is trusted by all stakeholders, supporting the infrastructure of global society by providing safe, high-quality, optimal services that meet the needs of customers by making thoroughly considered proposals.

For our group to continue achieving sustainable growth in a business environment that is changing at such a dizzying pace, in addition to responding with agility to these changes, we must have the courage and passion to act without fear of change, together with the “animal spirit” needed to boldly take on challenges while calmly assessing risks and opportunities in our corporate activities. Personally, I hope to continue to maintain this attitude, and that everyone in the group will be able to work mindfully toward this. In addition, let’s work to improve the value we provide to all stakeholders and aim to become an even more attractive company.

Finally, I would like to end this message by wishing good health to all of you working within the “K” LINE Group, and to your families.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce a publication of ESG DATA BOOK 2024.

ESG DATA BOOK has been issued since FY2021 to summarize policies, systems, specific initiatives and relevant data related to “K” LINE Group’s environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) aspects. It has been published as a tool for dispatch of information to, and for communication with, stakeholders who are interested in the Group’s ESG initiatives.

ESG DATA BOOK 2024 features new contents such as an “At a Glance” at the beginning, which summarizes the main quantitative information related to our sustainability and ESG. Also, we have expanded contents of disclosure in accordance with the frameworks of Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) as well as the list of key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability management. In addition, we newly include the index of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards in the back of the book, which is one of the main frameworks for ESG information disclosure.

ESG DATA BOOK 2024 can be found on our website.

HOME > Sustainability > ESG Data

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/esg_data.html

Downloads:

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/esg_data/main/0112/teaserItems2/0/linkList/00/link/ESGDATABOOK2024_EN.pdf

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that Daito Corporation (Daito), its consolidated subsidiary, has decided to procure funding through a green loan from Mizuho Bank, Ltd. This loan will finance the construction of an electric tugboat (EV tug),*¹ which was decided on November 8, 2024. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2027. The loan utilizes the Port of Yokohama – CNP Sustainable Finance Framework (the Framework),*² established by the City of Yokohama.

The Framework is a use-of-proceeds specific framework aimed at promoting the decarbonization of the port. A Second Party Opinion*³ on the Framework has been obtained from DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K. (DNV), a third-party verification body. The construction of the EV tug is classified as a green project under “Clean Transportation” within the Framework, and a letter of conformance*³ for a green loan*⁴ has been obtained from DNV. Daito is the first company to utilize this Framework for financing. Moreover, this is the first case in Japan of a private company utilizing a use-of-proceeds specific framework developed by a municipality.

This vessel was highly valued for the integration of hull improvements, electrification, and new maneuvering equipment to achieve a transition to non-fossil energy and improve operational efficiency. The adoption of lithium-ion batteries as a non-fossil energy source is expected to achieve a CO₂ emission reduction of approximately 60%.

The “K” LINE Group, under its long-term environmental policy, “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 — Blue Seas for the Future —,*⁵ establishes and operates the DRIVE GREEN NETWORK framework to promote environmental management, reflecting its commitment to environmental conservation. It will continue to advance efforts to support low-carbon and carbon-free for “K” LINE group and society and contribute to enhancing people’s quality of life.

EV Tug Specifications

Dimensions: Length 33.4 m x breadth 9.6 m x draft 4.0 m

Applicable Regulations: JG (Japanese Government)

Gross Tonnage: 199 tons class

Maximum Speed: 14.0 knots

Maximum Bollard Pull: 48 tons (ahead)

Propulsion System: Electric Propulsion System

Battery Capacity: Approx. 3.2 MWh

*1 November 8, 2024: Daito Corporation Has Decided to Build an Electric Tugboat

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/logistics/logistics-20241108.html

*2 It enables private companies and other entities to access sustainable finance without developing their own framework, provided their initiatives are designated as Port Decarbonization Promotion Projects within the Yokohama Port Harbor Decarbonization Promotion Plan announced today.

Please refer to the City of Yokohama website:

https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/yokohamashi/yokohamako/kkihon/torikumi/cnp/ycnpfw.html

*3Please refer to the DNV website:

https://webmagazine.dnv.co.jp/sus_finance_list.html

*4Green loan: A loan for the execution of finance projects that contribute to solving or mitigating environmental issues, in accordance with the Green Loan Principles (see reference below).

Green Loan Principles: International guidelines for loans specifically designated for environmental purposes developed in March 2018 by the Loan Market Association and the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association. The Loan Syndications and Trading Association joined in December 2018.

*5“K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future
As part of our action plan to reduce GHG emissions, “K” LINE is engaged in a number of initiatives, including the introduction of 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/en/sustainability/environment/management.html

“K” LINE LNG SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED, a London-based corporation wholly owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), will be renamed “K” LINE ENERGY SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED (KLES) on April 1, 2025. At the same time, the Carbon Neutral Development Group of “K” LINE (EUROPE) LIMITED, that develops a liquefied CO₂ transportation business, will be integrated into KLES with the goal of reinforcing the business development activities and organizational structure of “K” LINE’s energy transportation business in Europe.

Europe is an advanced market leading low-carbon and decarbonization efforts. New solutions supporting the decarbonization of society, such as liquefied CO₂ transportation solutions, are in demand.

KLES has refined its integrated marketing between shore and marine/technical teams, customer-centric support of sales and ship management, an area where the company has accumulated capabilities through its LNG transportation operations. It also proposes and provides high-quality transportation services and meticulously meets society’s needs regarding low-carbon and decarbonization solutions, including CCS.

Outline of renaming

The “K” LINE Group works together to promote its growth strategy and enhance its corporate value so that it can help realize a sustainable society.