Ocean Network Express sets out management transition

Till Ole Barrelet will join ONE on 1 May 2026 as chief executive-designate. He will succeed Jeremy Nixon as chief executive on 1 July 2026, at which point Mr Nixon will transition to the role of senior advisor.

Since ONE’s inception in April 2018, Mr Nixon and his management team have led the transformation of legacy Japanese carriers – K Line, MOL, and NYK – into a unified global container shipping company. Under his stewardship, ONE has established itself as a major player in the container liner shipping industry, operating a fleet of more than 260 vessels with a capacity exceeding 2M TEU.

Mr Barrelet brings more than 20 years of maritime and logistics experience to the role, most recently serving as chief executive of Emirates Shipping Line. He has deep expertise in shipowning, financing, container shipping, and trade development across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

To better position it for its next phase of growth, ONE will transition to a new executive management team structure comprising the chief executive and seven representatives from across all divisions. The new executive management team, together with a further six regional leaders, will report into the chief executive. This expanded leadership structure will facilitate closer collaboration across a global matrix structure at ONE. 

"Leading ONE from the start has been the defining chapter of my career," said Mr Nixon. "Together with an exceptional team, we have built something truly special. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished – navigating unprecedented challenges, investing in sustainable technology, and building a culture of service excellence. Now is the right time for new leadership, and I am very confident in Till’s ability to lead ONE forward."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Barrelet said, "I am honoured to lead Ocean Network Express at this pivotal time. Jeremy has built a formidable legacy with a strong culture, talented team, and solid operational foundation. ONE is well-positioned to navigate industry headwinds with an increasingly modern fleet, financial strength, and proven capabilities. I am committed to ONE’s service excellence and growth ambitions while driving our strategic priorities of ONE2030 forward."