〆Japanese Shipowners Host International Shipping Seminar in Nagasaki
On September 12, 2024, the sixth seminar of the Kameyama Shachu Kai, a shipowners’ association based in Nagasaki, was held at the Hotel New Nagasaki in Nagasaki City. The event brought together approximately 160 maritime professionals, including local shipowners from Nagasaki, shipowners from other prefectures, shipbuilders, financial institutions, and trading companies (up from around 130 participants last year).
The Kameyama Shachu Kai derives its name from the trading company established in Nagasaki by Ryoma Sakamoto, a prominent figure from the late Edo period in Japan. The shipowners in Nagasaki have adopted this historic name for their study group, aiming for growth in the field of international shipping.
The association includes members such as Hyuga Kaiun (Nagasaki), Toushin (Nagasaki City), K&B Holdings, ARIAKE & Co., Hinode Shipping (Fukuoka City), and Ryusei (Kumamoto City). In recent years, these companies have been expanding their fleets of international vessels, particularly through sale and leaseback (S＆LB) arrangements, where vessels are sold and then chartered back for use.
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
◇Importance of Ship Management
The subsequent conference featured presentations by experts from trading companies, brokers, ship valuation specialists, and maritime legal professionals. The event opened with a representative from Sojitz Corporation speaking on the theme of “From Bareboat Charter to Time Charter—Transitioning to a New Stage.” The presentation focused on the terms of international shipping, outlining the differences between time charters and bareboat charters, and emphasizing the role of ship management in these agreements.
◇The Rise of Emerging Regional Banks
Next, the CEO and Head of Sales from EPknot, a maritime broker based in Chuo, Tokyo, delivered a talk on the current environment surrounding international shipowners. The presentation introduced the “SYLAN Group,” a consortium established by EPknot, and discussed the increasing global competition in ship financing. The speaker noted that, despite the rising cost of newbuildings, the strong performance of charterers is driving an increase in new ship orders.
The discussion also focused on the entry of emerging regional banks into the ship financing sector. These new banks initially started with syndicate loans (co-financing) and are now expanding their participation in ship financing.
◇Support for Time Charters and Disputes
Following this, Mr. Osada, a partner lawyer from TMI Associates, took the stage. Mr. Osada has been a speaker at Kameyama Shachu Kai’s seminars since the first event. He introduced TMI Associates’ “Maritime Practice Group,” explaining that the firm has maritime-capable lawyers based in Tokyo and Kobe, Japan, as well as Singapore.
TMI Associates has been actively involved in the structuring of projects for the Nagasaki Shipowners’ Association and has significant experience in handling matters related to ship finance, time charters, and disputes. They also support Nagasaki shipowners in transactions involving the sale and purchase of vessels.
Mr. Osada recounted the mid-2010s downturn in the shipping industry, during which several European operators went bankrupt. At that time, many overseas operators defaulted or reduced charter hire payments to Japanese shipowners. He explained his role in securing claims and recovering charter hire for the Japanese shipowners during that period. Mr. Osada emphasized from his experience that the shipping industry is highly volatile, with inevitable market cycles.
◇Supporting the World from Nagasaki
The final speaker was the representative of ONE DEJIMA, who presented on the theme “Supporting the World from Nagasaki—Challenges of a Maritime Startup.” The representative outlined the company’s founding vision. Established in December 2023, ONE DEJIMA has been expanding its operations and is aiming to hire 30 employees within the fiscal year. Under the slogan “Supporting the World from Nagasaki,” the company is dedicated to pursuing its mission.
〆長崎県の日本船主が外航海運の勉強会を開催した。
東京の商社、ブローカー、海事弁護士ら１６０人が参加した。
長崎を拠点とする船主会「亀山社中会」（Kameyama Shachu Kai）の第６回セミナーが２０２４年９月12日、長崎市内のホテルニュー長崎で開催された。セミナーには地元の長崎船主を中心に他県からの船主や造船所、金融機関、商社など海事関係者約１６０人（昨年は約１３０人）が参加した。
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
亀山社中会は、日本の幕末時代を代表する人物である坂本龍馬（Ryoma Sakamoto）が長崎で結成した貿易結社の名前に由来している。長崎の日本船主は有名なこの人物の貿易会社の名前を勉強会の名前とした。彼らは外航船の分野での成長を目指している。
会員企業として日向海運（Hyuga Kaiun、長崎県南島原市）、藤進（Toushin,長崎市）、ケイアンドビィホールディングス（K＆B Holdings）、有明商事（ARIAKE&Co）、日之出海運（Hinode Shipping 、福岡市）、隆勢（Ryusei,熊本市）が加盟。近年、セール&リースバック（Ｓ＆ＬＢ、売買船後の再用船）中心に外航船の保有隻数を増やしている。
