<April 2, 2024, Nagasaki> – On March 26, Ocean Network Express (ONE), in collaboration with Anchor Ship Partners Co., Ltd., Kozo Keikaku Engineering Inc., and The Juuroku Shinwa Bank, Ltd., hosted the 3rd “Container Shipping Summit” at Dejima in Nagasaki, Japan. This marks the return of the summit to Dejima for the first time in a year, following the inaugural event held there last March. In addition to ONE representatives, the summit brought together numerous experts and academias from Japan, Singapore, and China to deepen discussions on the various challenges facing the container shipping industry, as well as the future of supply chains and society.

To commemorate the opening of the summit, Mr. Shiro Suzuki, the Mayor of Nagasaki City, attended as a guest of honor and stated: “Dejima was constructed in 1636 and played a significant role in Japan’s modernization as the nation’s only port open to the world. Now, nearly 400 years after its creation, it is highly meaningful that new human exchange and innovation are being generated from right here in Nagasaki.” He also offered words of congratulation, adding: “I hope that today’s summit will foster the development of the maritime industry and facilitate network building among all participants.”

The summit featured panel discussions based on three key themes: “Trends in Next-Generation Fuels, Operator Risk Assessment Methodologies, and Safety Culture,” “Industry-Academia Collaboration Methods for Promoting Decarbonization in Shipping,” and “Industry-Academia Collaboration for Securing and Nurturing Next-Generation Human Resources in the Maritime Industry.” The panel discussions saw broad participation from shipping industry stakeholders, including the National Research Institute of Maritime, Bureau of Shipping (NMRI), MTI, Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance. It also featured prominent researchers from Kyushu University, Kobe University, Nagasaki University, the National University of Singapore (NUS), Shanghai Maritime University, The University of Tokyo, and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

In the discussion on next-generation fuel trends, participants reviewed the current status and future outlook of various alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol, as well as decarbonization policies and the transition status to next-generation fuels across different countries. Debates also centered on the necessity of formulating guidelines for handling toxic ammonia fuel and the challenges involved in expanding the use of methanol fuel.

In the session dedicated to industry-academia collaboration for promoting decarbonization in shipping, participants discussed strategies to jointly advance decarbonization across the entire supply chain and to share environmental costs across society through a sustainable framework. Reference was also made to the need for standardizing global regulations and ensuring transparency and fairness in promoting the widespread adoption of green fuels.

During the session on human resource development in the maritime industry, discussions focused on how to attract professional talent to the sector and measures to sustainably nurture talent through partnerships among corporations, educational institutions, and maritime stakeholders. Active exchanges of opinions took place regarding the ideal profile of human resources required by the maritime industry, as well as the need to communicate the professional characteristics and appeal of the shipping sector.

By collaborating with research institutions and all stakeholders in the shipping industry, ONE will encourage discussions aimed at industry-wide development and problem-solving by providing a platform that transcends both industry-academia boundaries and national borders. Acting as a bridge that connects diverse perspectives and expertise, ONE is committed to contributing to society by working with a wide range of stakeholders to resolve the various challenges surrounding container shipping and to build a superior supply chain.