Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) is investing in digital technologies and training facilities for its seafarers as part of its five-year, medium-term management plan
The Japanese container shipping group is implementing a digitalisation strategy to provide insights from data and information to optimise container shipping and improve safety.
It will also invest in training seafarers and shore staff, making safety a priority, said K Line president and chief executive Yukikazu Myochin.
K Line will strengthen its three-region global monitoring structure by combining people with technology.
“As integral elements to complement advanced and digital technologies through the conversion of tacit knowledge into data, thereby providing safety and optimal services that put customers first,” said Mr Myochin.
“We must approach safety in navigation and cargo operations as our top priority, and the most critical factor underpinning that is the power of people.”
K Line will implement detail-oriented safety management and quality controls to achieve high levels of safety. It is reviving the K Line University to train and secure human resources in 2024 and build on the existing training facilities at its Maritime Academy Philippines, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
“To further expand our business in growth markets, particularly in Asia, we must develop and secure human resources who can adapt flexibly to changes in the business environment,” said Mr Myochin.
“Our aim is for human resources with a diverse range of values to maximise their abilities in a safe and comfortable work environment,” he continued.
“In addition to business management training, we will enhance business training in shipping and onboard training to promote the development of strong marine professionals.”
In 2024, K Line will reach the mid-way point of its medium-term management plan, which was launched in 2022.
“We keep focusing on businesses that play a leading role in driving growth, and also started to revise to our growth strategy to raise the bar from the targets laid out in the medium-term plan,” said Mr Myochin.
“We will aim to achieve sustainable growth as a company that boasts high market resilience, by maintaining investment discipline based on the investment practice of being restrained under favourable conditions and strategic under poor market conditions.
“We have introduced a business-based responsible accounting management system, demonstrating an awareness of capital cost and cash flow by further advancement of business management. We will produce profits that exceed capital cost to bolster measures aimed at enhancing corporate value.”
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