"K" Line

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that a joint venture company *¹ held a naming ceremony for two 174,000m3 LNG vessels for QatarEnergy *² at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. on 3 December.   The first vessel was named “SHARQ” by the wife of Yukikazu Myochin, Director and Chairperson of the Board of “K” LINE. The second vessel was named “SHRA’OUH” by wife of Mr. Takaya Soga, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha. “SHARQ” is derived from the name of an eastern city of Qatar, and “SHRA’OUH” is derived from the name of an island in Qatar.

The vessels are the seventh and eighth of a series of 12 LNG vessels that the joint venture companies have been building for QatarEnergy. “SHARQ” is the first of three vessels in this series to be managed by “K” LINE Group.

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

The newbuilding vessels are 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.

*1. It is sponsored by “K” Line together with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, China LNG Shipping (Holdings) Limited., and MISC Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Portovenere and Lerici (Labuan) Pte Ltd.

*2. QatarEnergy is a state energy company of Qatar.

*3. X-DF 2.1 iCER is a low speed dual-fuel engine with gas at low pressure.

*4. Medium-Term Management Plan (Released on May 9, 2022)

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/ir/management/strategy.html

Main Particulars of the Vessel

Related Release

10 August 2022: “K” LINE enters into Long-Term Time Charter with QatarEnergy for Seven Newbuilding LNG vessels

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/lng/lng-20220810.html

4 November 2022: “K” LINE enters into Long-Term Time Charter with QatarEnergy for Five Newbuilding LNG vessels

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/lng/lng-20221104.html

18 April 2025: Newbuilding LNG vessel for QatarEnergy Named “AL TUWAR”

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/lng/lng-20250418.html

On December 2, 2025, the newly built liquefied CO2 carrier “NORTHERN PHOENIX” (the Vessel) was delivered to Northern Lights JV DA (Northern Lights) at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd. (DSOC)

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and Northern Lights have entered into bareboat charter contracts and time charter contracts for three of the four liquefied CO2 carriers ordered by Northern Lights, including the Vessel.

The Vessel is the third liquefied CO2 carrier to be engaged by Northern Lights, which is world’s first to offer full-scale commercial transportation and storage of CO2.

Just like “NORTHERN PIONEER”,^*1 which was the first vessel delivered in November 2024, and “NORTHERN PATHFINDER”,^*2 the second vessel delivered in December 2024, the Vessel will be managed by “K” LINE ENERGY SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED based in London, the subsidiary of “K” LINE.

Going forward, the Vessel will transport liquified CO2 collected from clients outside Norway to the Northern Lights’ receiving terminal in Øygarden, western Norway. By transporting CO2 internationally, the Vessel will contribute to the expansion of the Northern Lights and the establishment of the CCS business in Europe.

The “K” LINE Group is taking different steps towards its own low-carbon and carbon-free initiatives, and that for society, in accordance with its long-term guidelines concerning the environment, “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050. “K” Line will leverage the knowledge gained from the operation of liquefied CO2 carriers, an area in which it is a forerunner, in future business development with the aim of realizing a sustainable society and increasing its corporate value.

Vessel Particulars

Cargo tank capacity: 7.500 m³

Overall length: 130 m

Breadth: 21 m

Cargo transport conditions: Maximum pressure of 19 bar(g) and minimum temperature of -35°C

Primary fuel: LNG

Low-carbon technologies: Wind-assisted rotor sail and air lubrication

December 1,2025　

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) proudly announces the successful participation in Techno-Ocean 2025, held in Kobe International Exhibition Hall No. 2 from November 27 to 29.

At our booth, we showcased three key initiatives — “Seawing” automated kite system utilizing wind power, offshore support vessel business, and “K-Assist Project” a technology development project related to automated ship operation through panels and videos. Over the three days, we welcomed a number of visitors.

On November 28, during the exhibitor presentation session, Mr. Hiroto Arai, General Manager of the “K” LINE Environment/Technical Strategy Group, delivered a presentation on “K” LINE’s decarbonization initiatives.

The presentation covered initiatives to support low-carbon and decarbonization for ourselves, such as fuel conversion, utilization of natural energy, and digital technologies for operational efficiency. It also introduced initiatives to supply alternative fuels such as LNG, as well as new technologies supporting society’s decarbonization, including offshore support vessel business and liquefied CO₂ transportation.

“K” LINE group is promoting a variety of initiatives to support the decarbonization of its own operations and society in accordance with its long-term environmental policy, ““K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050”. We aim to reduce environmental impact, contribute to a sustainable society and increase its corporate value.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)

Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU)

Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY)

Tokyo, December 1, 2025 – Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group, Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., “K” LINE, MOL, NYK Line, JMU, and NSY have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a standard design framework to efficiently develop and carry out the initial design of liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers and next generation alternative fuel ships utilizing decarbonization technologies (such as ammonia fuel) where MILES Co., Ltd. (formerly known as MI LNG Company) as a platform will be responsible to develop and carry out initial design of the ships so that other shipyards in Japan will be able to carry out the functional and production design based on those common initial designs.

Those seven companies, through the establishment of this standard design framework, aim to collaborate with other domestic shipyards to realize the development and initial design of the ships with global competitiveness.

“K” LINE, MOL, and NYK Line have decided to invest in MILES to accelerate this cross-industry collaboration in Japan, and will work to promote construction at multiple shipyards in Japan by utilizing this standard design framework.

Furthermore, JMU and NSY have also decided to invest in MILES in order to strengthen such collaboration so that the standard specifications and designs provided by MILES can be widely used in the domestic industry, thereby regaining global competitiveness for the Japanese shipbuilding industry.

Through this MoU, the companies will aim to contribute to the further progress of a sustainable carbon neutral society.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) conducted a fire drill on November 21, 2025 at Daikoku-futo C4, Yokohama Port, which is managed by Yokohama Port Corporation. TETHYS HIGHWAY,* a car carrier operated by “K” Line, was used in the drill, which was carried out jointly with the Yokohama City Fire Bureau. It was the first drill in Japan that was carried out simulating  that a fire had started in a moored vessel.

More than 100 relevant personnel participated in the drill, which was conducted simulating an emergency situation in which a fire broke out on board the vessel during cargo handling operations, one crew member was missing, and the Captain was left on board. It was a comprehensive drill that included a range of operations, including the identification of the source of the fire using aerial drones, searching for people in need of rescue, spraying water from elevated positions and fire boats, confirming evacuation routes for operators and crews, and practicing the use of the immediate notification system with relevant organizations and confirming its operational status, as well as rescuing people stranded on board a vessel.

Going forward, the “K” Line Group will continue to strengthen its cooperative system involving related parties onshore by implementing drills like this in Japan and overseas. By doing so, the “K” Line Group will maintain safety in navigation and cargo operations.

Organizations that participated in the drill :

Yokohama City Fire Bureau

Kaisho Shipping Co., Ltd.

“K” Line RoRo Bulk Ship Management Co., Ltd.

“K” Line Marine Solutions Co., Ltd.

Daito Corporation

Misuzu Machinery Co., Ltd.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

*             News release dated July 18, 2025: LNG-fueled Car Carrier “TETHYS HIGHWAY” with a 6,900-vehicle Capacity Delivered https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/car/car-20250718.html

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (President and CEO: Takenori Igarashi, hereinafter ““K” LINE”) announces that it has decided to transfer the logistics business operated in Thailand by “K” LINE (THAILAND) LTD. (hereinafter “KTL”), a subsidiary of “K” LINE in Thailand, to “K” LINE LOGISTICS (THAILAND) LTD. (hereinafter “KLL TH”), a subsidiary of “K” LINE LOGISTICS, LTD. (President and CEO: Ako Hiraoka), a consolidated subsidiary of “K” LINE.

1. Current Business 

KTL        :             1.  Overall management of the car carrier business in Southeast Asia and Comprehensive shipping agency business in Thailand

2.   Logistics business centered on land transportation, warehousing, and customs clearance service in Thailand

KLL TH:               International logistics business centered on air and ocean forwarding

2. Businesses to be transferred from KTL to KLL TH

All businesses listed in ② above

3. Purpose

To provide customers with a wider variety of high-quality logistics services and strengthen our contract logistics capabilities by transferring KTL’s logistics business, which has strengths in domestic logistics in Thailand, to KLL TH, which has strengths in international logistics.

4. Transfer date

April 1, 2026 (Planned)

After the business transfer, KTL will remain committed to providing high-quality services and further enhance its business as “K” LINE Group’s representative in Thailand.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) organized “K” LINE UNIVERSITY 2025 (KLU 2025) at its head office in Tokyo to instill the “K” LINE Group’s management policy into and create a sense of unity among the members of the “K” LINE Group.

“K” LINE UNIVERSITY, which was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in 2023. It has been held annually for the three consecutive years since then. KLU 2025 took place over four days from Monday, October 20 to Thursday, October 23, and 21 members of the Group from “K” LINE’s overseas bases and Group companies in 15 countries and regions took part in the event.

For the “K” LINE Group, the acceptance of diverse values is a source of competitiveness in the development of global business. On the subject of leadership, KLU 2025 featured explanations of the business strategy by management executives, a guided tour of the ship simulator at the “K” LINE Training Center, workshops with participants, including head office staff, and other programs. By participating in a range of exchanges of views, the participants engaged in face-to-face communication designed to develop their embrace of diverse values and sense of unity (diversity and inclusion).

Moving forward, “K” LINE is committed to securing and training personnel capable of executing the strategies for the businesses that form “K” LINE’s portfolio at a high level, while also respecting different values and ideas. By doing this, “K” LINE seeks to achieve the sustainable growth of the Group as a whole and increase its corporate value.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) conducted a fire extinguishing test by burning a scrapped, gasoline vehicle in the fire extinguishing test building of the Technical Center of Kashiwa Tech Co., Ltd. (Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture) on October 17, 2025. In the test, it was assumed that a fire would occur inside the hold of a car carrier. The goal was to learn how to extinguish a fire once it started and to establish new firefighting tactics.

Twenty-five people in total participated on the day of the test, practicing the use of existing fire hose nozzles used on car carriers and a new fire hose nozzle with better spray performance to spray water on and put out the fire. With the cooperation of the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center, the participants also watched a demonstration of the use of a specially shaped nozzle which is capable of spraying to extinguish a fire inside a vehicle.

This was the first time that “K” LINE set a car alight during a fire extinguishing test. It was a valuable opportunity for the participants to see how fast a vehicle can catch fire and to experience effective firefighting tactics used on a burning car. We will also consider conducting verification tests aimed at enhancing fire response capabilities for a diverse range of vehicle types, including electric vehicles.

As the risks of fires in car carriers have been drawing attention in recent years, “K” LINE will continue to work to enhance its fire safety measures and continue to be committed to protecting the valuable cargo of its customers.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) conducted a fire extinguishing test by burning a scrapped, gasoline vehicle in the fire extinguishing test building of the Technical Center of Kashiwa Tech Co., Ltd. (Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture) on October 17, 2025. In the test, it was assumed that a fire would occur inside the hold of a car carrier. The goal was to learn how to extinguish a fire once it started and to establish new firefighting tactics.

Twenty-five people in total participated on the day of the test, practicing the use of existing fire hose nozzles used on car carriers and a new fire hose nozzle with better spray performance to spray water on and put out the fire. With the cooperation of the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center, the participants also watched a demonstration of the use of a specially shaped nozzle which is capable of spraying to extinguish a fire inside a vehicle.

This was the first time that “K” LINE set a car alight during a fire extinguishing test. It was a valuable opportunity for the participants to see how fast a vehicle can catch fire and to experience effective firefighting tactics used on a burning car. We will also consider conducting verification tests aimed at enhancing fire response capabilities for a diverse range of vehicle types, including electric vehicles.

As the risks of fires in car carriers have been drawing attention in recent years, “K” LINE will continue to work to enhance its fire safety measures and continue to be committed to protecting the valuable cargo of its customers.

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 2^nd Quarter FY2025

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

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/