special reports

Japanese Liner Merger

A single resource with the latest news and developments regarding the merger of Japan's Big Three container lines, NYK Line, MOL, and "K" Line. The companies have said that given the consolidation of the last few years the fundamental nature of the container shipping business has changed, and the only way forward for the three is to team up in pursuit of the lower costs and greater scale that are now essential to remaining competitive against behemoths such as Maersk Line and CMA CGM.

ONE extends Singapore footprint via PSA pact

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Dec 20, 2018, 9:11 AM EST

ONE has cemented its Asia headquarters in Singapore and will gain greater control of its volume in a joint venture terminal deal in the Lion City.

Container lines

Japanese carriers enter ONE with global growth, muted Asia-US gains

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 27, 2018, 2:20 PM EDT

All three carriers in Ocean Network Express highlighted the supply-demand balance as having an influence on container industry financials, with freight rates stronger than during the previous year but lower than expected.

Container lines

ONE's Nixon: Some delays, roll-out is ‘according to plan’

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Apr 24, 2018, 8:40 AM EDT

The merged entity, Ocean Network Express, is reporting staff shortages at some locations as the three Japanese carriers are merged, which is causing customer problems.

Container lines

ONE launch hits ‘teething’ problems for bookings

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Apr 12, 2018, 1:09 PM EDT

The April 1 launch of new carrier Ocean Network Express is experiencing booking delays in some jurisdictions as cargo from three carriers migrates to the new network.

Container lines

ONE's Nixon: Profitable container lines bring market stability

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Mar 6, 2018, 6:39 PM EST

While there was room for “a little more” consolidation, One Network Express CEO Jeremy Nixon told the TPM 2018 conference that from a product and network perspective, he expected to see stability continue over the next two years.

Container lines

Japanese carriers report profits before new ONE venture

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Jan 31, 2018, 11:54 AM EST

The improving container shipping market is reflected in the nine-month financial results of Japan's big three carriers.

Container lines

Ocean Network clears last regulatory hurdle

Greg Knowler, Europe Editor | Jan 18, 2018, 7:57 AM EST

The last piece of the regulatory puzzle has fallen into place for Ocean Network Express, clearing the way for its global April 1 launch.

Strong volumes lift all three Japanese carriers to profit

Hugh R. Morley, Senior Editor | Oct 31, 2017, 4:50 PM EDT

The improved performance came amid preparations by the three companies to merge and operate as a single company.

Container lines

Japan's Big Three carriers profitable as industry rebounds

Tomoo Yatsuhashi, Japan Special Correspondent | Jul 31, 2017, 9:35 AM EDT

The positive earnings statements come less than a month after the three established Ocean Network Express.

Container lines

Nixon named CEO of new Japanese carrier ONE

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 10, 2017, 3:48 AM EDT

NYK's head of container shipping Jeremy Nixon will lead the new Japanese carrier ONE.

MaritimeContainer lines

Newest global container line officially established in Tokyo

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 7, 2017, 5:33 AM EDT

Japan's three major carriers have officially formed the One Network Express in Tokyo.

Container lines

Japan lines ready to merge despite regulatory setbacks

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 3, 2017, 1:18 AM EDT

Japan's three major carriers say the new joint venture liner shipping company is ready to be established.

Container lines

South Africa's rejection of Japanese carrier merger questioned

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 27, 2017, 8:35 PM EDT

There are some puzzling aspects of the decision by South African competition regulators to reject the proposed merger of the three Japanese carriers.

Japanese liner merger rejected by South Africa

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 22, 2017, 9:30 AM EDT

The decision comes just days before the new joint venture Ocean Network Express was expected to be formed.

Container linesTransport, trade and regulation

New Japanese joint venture carrier now ONE step closer

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 31, 2017, 6:15 AM EDT

The name of the joint venture container line that will be formed from the merger of Japan's three main carriers has been announced.

MaritimeContainer lines

Too soon to tell if carriers heading back to black

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 22, 2017, 4:24 AM EDT

There are signs that the liner shipping business is clawing its way back to profitability, but with the real impact of higher contract rates yet to be felt, it is too soon to say.

Container lines

Rising market fails to lift stocks of Japanese carriers

Tomoo Yatsuhashi, Japan Special Correspondent | May 16, 2017, 1:27 PM EDT

Share prices of Japan’s top three shipping firms are languishing.

Container lines

With DOJ block unlikely, J-3 may need to fast-track merger

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 10, 2017, 5:05 AM EDT

The Japanese lines may as well fast track their merger following the voting down of their proposed agreement by the FMC on jurisdictional grounds, as the new line is unlikely to be blocked.

MaritimeContainer lines

US maritime regulators punt on merger of Japanese carriers

JOC Staff | May 2, 2017, 6:30 PM EDT

<p>The US Federal Maritime Commissioners voted 4-0 to reject ‘K’-Line, MOL, and NYK Line’s plan to share information with each other ahead of the merging of their container operations in July</p>

Container linesTransport, trade and regulation

Japan's Big Three expect profitable turnaround

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 28, 2017, 4:10 AM EDT

The next 12 months will be good for Japan's top three carriers that are predicting a profitable 2017/18 financial year.

Container lines

MOL eyes 2017 profit ahead of merger finish

Dustin Braden, Shipper Relationship Manager | Apr 3, 2017, 4:32 PM EDT

<p>“We are well positioned to deliver profits this fiscal year and beyond.”</p>

Container lines

'K' Line: Carriers must control 5 percent of market or consolidate

Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor, Global Ports | Mar 16, 2017, 12:37 PM EDT

"After five years we will probably see new alliances, and smaller capacity carriers may lose out.”

NYK exec: Consolidation yet to benefit container shipping

Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor, Global Ports | Mar 15, 2017, 9:47 AM EDT

Miyamoto said she expects the recent improvement in rate sentiment will transfer to some extent to long-term shipping contracts.

Container lines

MOL: More consolidation needed for supply-demand balance

Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor, Global Ports | Mar 14, 2017, 9:56 AM EDT

More industry consolidation can be expected before the market finds a healthy balance in supply and demand.

Container lines

Merging Japanese carriers eye suppliers for cost savings

Turloch Mooney, Senior Editor, Global Ports | Mar 13, 2017, 8:57 AM EDT

The so-called “tariff effect” will take an estimated one to two years after the set-up of the company to start delivering substantial savings.

Container lines

NYK's Nixon: Merger won't impact service contracts

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Feb 28, 2017, 12:50 PM EST

Jeremy Nixon presented an update to the TPM 2017 conference on the merger of the container divisions of 'K' Line, MOL, and NYK Line.

Japanese carriers expect record losses

Tomoo Yatsuhashi, Japan Special Correspondent | Jan 31, 2017, 10:09 AM EST

The anticipation of record losses underscores the necessity of Japan's leading container lines’ plan to merge.

Container lines

Japan's ailing top three liners get government aid

Hisane Masaki, Japan Special Correspondent | Dec 12, 2016, 9:47 AM EST

The tax reforms provide another release valve for growing financial pressure.

Transport, trade and regulation

Japanese shipping industry clamors for government help

Hisane Masaki, Japan Special Correspondent | Nov 8, 2016, 8:53 AM EST

Eager to avoid the fate of neighboring South Korea’s Hanjin Shipping, Japan’s Big Three shipping companies are lobbying the government for favorable tax and budgetary measures.

Transport, trade and regulation

Midsize liners likely to lead next consolidation wave

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Nov 7, 2016, 9:54 AM EST

Medium-sized container lines likely will trigger the next round of consolidation in a bid to keep pace with the market leaders that are pulling ahead following a wave of mergers.

Container lines

NYK Line parent’s credit rating downgraded despite merger plan

Dustin Braden, Shipper Relationship Manager | Nov 4, 2016, 9:50 AM EDT

The credit ratings agency Moody’s has downgraded the rating for Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, parent of NYK Line.

Container lines

Analysts see liner consolidation as step toward recovery

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 4, 2016, 3:14 AM EDT

The container shipping market is concentrated in the hands of fewer players, which might improve profitability.

Container lines

No way Taiwan lines will merge, Yang Ming chairman says

JOC Staff | Nov 3, 2016, 10:33 PM EDT

Yang Ming Line Chairman Bronson Hsieh has dismissed market speculation that his Taiwan line could merge with Evergreen Marine.

Container lines

Japanese shipping merger to create new major liner

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 1, 2016, 9:56 PM EDT

For decades, the Japanese lines have competed fiercely for their share of the container market, but that has ended with the agreement to merge liner operations.

Container lines

What will Japanese liner merger mean for US terminals?

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Oct 31, 2016, 3:10 PM EDT

Synergies can be obtained through a single operating unit.

Marine terminals

Merged Japanese liners would dominate Asian imports to US

JOC Staff | Oct 31, 2016, 1:28 PM EDT

A merged NYK Line, “K” Line, and MOL would be the dominant mover of containerized goods from Asia to the United States if operations were to begin today.

Container lines

Poor earnings forecasts of Japan's Big Three show need for merger

Hisane Masaki, Japan Special Correspondent | Oct 31, 2016, 12:28 PM EDT

Japan’s Big Three container lines downgraded their full-year earnings forecasts and said they expected record losses as their fiscal first-half results illustrated the financial difficulties that motivated their Monday announcement they would merge.

Container lines

Back against wall, top three Japanese liners take disciplined merger approach

Peter Tirschwell | Oct 31, 2016, 9:01 AM EDT

With no turnaround for container shipping in the foreseeable future, the three largest Japanese shipping companies are merging.

Container lines

Japanese carriers to merge container businesses

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Oct 30, 2016, 11:50 PM EDT

Three Japanese lines seek scale benefits in move to merge container divisions.

Container lines