K Line president: maritime technology drives competitiveness

Digital technology is one of three foundational pillars of K Line, along with management control and human resources.

“In digital, we will advance data development for decision-making, business process execution, and value creation,” said Mr Igarashi. “We will aim to achieve data-driven management and engage in external collaboration and partnerships.”

He added that the Japanese group will “increase the sophistication of our business operations and investment decisions to maximise returns.”

In addition, K Line will “secure and develop talent dedicated to solving issues both at sea and on land” and “redesign our structure to strengthen access to growth markets by developing our global network.”

Environmental technologies will be important for K Line’s long-term growth, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and wind sails on ships.

K Line is participating in the world’s first full-scale CCS project, Northern Lights, by providing shipmanagement services.  

“This initiative represents an integrated achievement combining the robust relationships built with customers through our years of accumulated experience in the liquefied gas transport business, our maritime expertise and technology capabilities, and our environmental technology capabilities,” said Mr Igarashi. “It is a symbolic model demonstrating how our strengths can contribute to solving societal challenges.”

He also said using Seawing shipboard kite systems, which use wind power to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, “represents another effort leveraging our technological capabilities and serves as a new solution-based model for contributing to decarbonisation.”

A prime example of working together is the newly built liquefied CO2 carrier Northern Phoenix, which was delivered to Northern Lights at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co in China in December 2025.

There is a global trend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and K Line remains "committed to steadily implementing various measures to reduce its environmental impact,” said Mr Igarashi.