“K” Line Group to Implement “K” Line Wind program
“K” Line Group (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha) taking steps to improve our corporate culture and climate through the “K”-no-Kaze” (“K” Line Wind) program. Additionally, it is prepared a long-term policy for environmental conservation—called “Environmental Vision 2050”—to fulfill its responsibility to minimize our impact on the global environment.
Early next month, DRIVE GREEN PROJECT, construction of a car carrier equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and designed to achieve the highest level of energy savings and environment-friendliness, is scheduled to be completed.
"I believe this new vessel will become symbolic of our ideal of “contributing to affluent living as a globally trusted corporate group,” Eizo Murakami, President & CEO, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd said.
The safe operation of this vessel and compliance with the law are of paramount importance in our effort to truly be a “globally trusted corporate group.” In addition to being our responsibility to society, safe operation forms the foundation upon which we continually gain our customers’ trust, he said.
During the first half of this fiscal year, “K” Line Group benefitted from falling fuel oil prices and a continually weakening yen.
"At the same time, however we were exposed to tough market conditions, particularly in our Containership and Dry Bulk businesses, as the cargo movement fell below expectations while supply pressure on shipping capacity was intensified. Nonetheless, a number of our businesses showed steady performance," he said.
They included Car Carrier Business, which, in addition to the movement of completed cars, is advancing initiatives aimed at heavy construction equipment and rail cars with the use of the latest large energy-saving vessels; the Energy Transportation Business centered on LNG carriers, large LPG carriers, and tankers, which provides stable income based on medium- and long-term contracts; the our Logistics Business, which is expanding its operations in various regions.
"Accordingly, our overall earnings exceeded initial estimations despite being influenced by fluctuations in foreign exchange-related profit and loss. However, given stagnating resources demand in China and other regions as well as rising geopolitical risks, the business environment continues to be uncertain in the second half. We anticipate that some more time will be required before we see full-scale market recovery," Eizo added.
