Established in 1899, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai – (ClassNK) has developed an international reputation for safeguarding life and property at sea, preventing marine pollution,  protecting the marine environment and supporting the development of ‘green-shipping’.

ClassNK provides clients with a full range of services including classification and statutory surveying, registration of ship safety management systems, auditing and consultation services, material and equipment approvals, certification of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems.

Shipowners in Greater China account for approximately twenty millions tons on the society’s register. This translates to more than ten percent of the total tonnage registered with ClassNK, and ClassNK’s registered share of newly built vessels in China has expanded rapidly over the past several years.

ClassNK’s research, services and classification standards are unmatched in the industry. The Society’s attention to detail in the surveying procedure continues to gain international recognition.

Ueda: “In order to ensure that new vessels are built to the highest possible standards, we assemble teams which include naval architects to inspect the hull, mechanical engineers to survey the machinery and electrical engineers to appraise the electrical installations. Our teams stay on site for several months in order to survey the vessel throughout the construction process”.

Since ClassNK established its first office in Hong Kong nearly forty years ago, Hong Kong and China have remained important markets for the Society.

Ueda: “As we look to the future, we expect Hong Kong to become an increasingly important market for ClassNK”.

Kentaro Tsudaka, president

Cargo ships, large deep-sea fishing boats and other types of vessels, all require their high-powered engines to run efficiently, cleanly and without incident. Established as a manufacturer of diesel-powered engines, Yamaoka Hatsudoki Kosakusho (Yanmar) is today celebrating 100 years as an international maritime leader. Yanmar Engineering, established in 1958 as a “total support company”, aims to assist customers with the maintenance, management and repair of Yanmar diesel engines installed in their vessels.

In order to train and assist customers, the Yanmar Engineering head office in Amagasaki, Japan, incorporates a technical training school (TT school) offering novices and fully-fledged engineers the most advanced and extensive training curriculum combining theory and practice.

“Every year, we have hundreds of customers visit our training school to train with the latest and largest Yanmar diesel engines. We expect to train 350 customers this year,” says president Kentaro Tsudaka. “Once they have completed their training, our customers essentially become Yanmar engineers. They are instructed on the principles of diesel engine design and construction through to the dismantling and assembling of our engines.”

In order to be closer to their customers, the company has expanded its network of training schools to include China and the Philippines. “In addition to our overseas offices in Taiwan, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, North America and Hong Kong, we are opening a fourth training school in Mumbai this year. Due to increased demand, we expect further expansion of our TT schools in the future,” Tsudaka says.

“This year, our Hong Kong subsidiary office is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Hong Kong is a very important market for us because of its geographic location and proximity to the mainland and Southeast Asia,” Tsudaka explains. “As Hong Kong is a maritime centre, many ship management companies have offices located there. Our customers in Hong Kong include local players, Japanese and European ship management companies.”

In order to support customers with vessels out at sea, the company launched “ships supporter”. This advanced Engine Management System uses the Inmarsat satellite system to manage engines in ocean-going vessels. “From our Ships – Support Center in Japan, our engine manufacturing specialists are able to monitor an engine’s condition and performance and provide customers with a range of diagnostic services and technical support,” Tsudaka says.

With 1,000 ships expected to use ships supporter from now until 2015, Yanmar Engineering is dedicated to providing the best solutions to customers worldwide.

Shigeru Matsui, chairman

Shipbrokers act as intermediaries between shipowners, charterers, buyers and sellers of ocean-going vessels. Japan and China’s ocean-going trade links remain as important as ever and understanding the opportunities to collaborate is the key to success.

Japan’s economic power has increased through the country’s ability to develop strong foreign trade links. As Japan and China continue to benefit from their close ties, ship broking continues to play an increasingly important role.

Shigeru Matsui, chairman of Matsui & Company, says: “As Japanese shipbrokers, it is essential for us to build solid relationships with shipbrokers in China. We have established a strong China network and continually work towards developing our partnerships.”

Matsui & Company’s services include new-building contracts, sales and purchase, and tanker-chartering brokers in China. “We need the right approach, reliable connections and close partnerships. I am an advocate of Sino-Japan relations and fully expect our countries to work ever closer in the future,” Matsui says.

As lines of communication improve between Japanese and Chinese brokers through open dialogue, there is an expectation that both countries can work in partnership to make improvements within the shipping industry.

Having been active in the maritime industry for more than 40 years, Matsui has developed lasting friendships. During his career, he has also brokered deals with international players such as Teekay Shipping, ExxonMobil, Valero and Hong Kong-based Wah Kwong Shipping.

“Matsui & Company has been doing business with Wah Kwong Shipping for many years and we remain committed to this partnership – we want to build on this relationship,” Matsui says.

“We encourage other shipbrokers in Japan to establish ties with our friends in China as we believe this will strengthen the Japanese shipping industry.”

Masahiro Aoyama, president

The most south westerly of Japan’s four main islands and the country’s third-largest land mass is the island of Kyushu. With its proximity to China and the rest of Asia, Kyushu is known as the “gateway to Asia” and has developed strong trade ties with markets throughout the region.

Kyushu has been home to GENEQ Corporation, one of Japan’s leading logistics services companies, for more than 50 years.

GENEQ is focused on harbour transport, coastal cement shipping, distribution, customs clearance, warehousing and international shipping. Since 1989, the corporation has developed particularly strong ties to the growing Chinese market through its maritime transport services.

“We play an increasingly important role in Japan-China trade,” explains Masahiro Aoyama, president of GENEQ. “We established the Acacia Line in 2000 to service sea freight between Dalian and ports in Japan.

“In 1986, we were the first Japanese logistics provider to establish a general logistics company [Dalian Youyi Container Freight Inc] in the Dalian Development Zone. This company enables us to provide our clients with integrated transportation services to and from inland China.”

While competition and lower cost offerings from local Chinese players represent challenges, GENEQ is the only Japanese company operating in the area. This position has given the company a competitive edge by enabling GENEQ to showcase its expertise and excellence of service – both qualities which are associated with Japanese companies.

“Our aim is to grow our business in China and to offer potential customers the value-added services we are in a position to provide,” Aoyama says.

“Our Japanese customers recognise our abilities and our strong client focus. We intend to share our expertise and skills with our customers in China.”

The company’s Japanese client base includes sanitary goods manufacturer TOTO, leading food and beverage companies such as SUNTORY, and semiconductor and air conditioning manufacturers.

GENEQ also handles the transport of Toyota’s automotive parts to manufacturing facilities in Kyushu.

GENEQ intends to develop its reputation while continuing to operate from Kyushu’s major international ports of Moji and Hakata and Fukuoka airport.

As the company’s business concept – total logistics – indicates, GENEQ is committed to providing land, sea and air transport in order to deliver complete customer satisfaction.

April 2011 saw Yusen Logistics (Hong Kong) Ltd. initiate operations focusing on freight forwarding (air/ocean) and contract logistics. As one of the most exciting, energetic business areas in the world, Hong Kong plays an important role in Yusen Logistics’ future strategy for the region.

Yusen Logistics’ commitment to Hong Kong is set to continue through the company’s new Hong Kong warehouse facility, due to open in April 2012. As China’s consumer market develops, Yusen Logistics is poised take advantage of the increased inland opportunities by reinforcing and expanding its network from Hong Kong into western China.

With the continued growth of China’s shipbuilding industry, opportunities for Japanese maritime product manufacturers are on the increase. Japanese marine equipment manufacturers typically sell products directly to Chinese buyers or through distributors in China. For close to a century, The China & Japan Marine Industries Ltd company, based in Kobe, has developed a different strategy by positioning itself as a specialized trader of marine products.

Originally founded in 1915 and re-established in 1949, the company name illustrates the strong ties the company has with its trade partners in Hong Kong and China.

The China & Japan Marine Industries Ltd President, Hiromasa Sai says: “We initially established business ties with ship owners in Hong Kong through our partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Our business expanded once we began selling diesel engines, propellers and other marine equipment to mainland China. As our trade with China developed, so did our footprint throughout the region”.

“We aim to focus on environmental technologies and vessel efficiency in the future,” says Sai. “Japanese manufacturers are spearheading this essential aspect of the maritime industry through innovative product developments. As The China & Japan Marine Industries Ltd company moves forward, we intend to supply our valued customers in China with ‘green’ products as we continue to work ever more closely together”.

Headed by remarkable growth in China, the economies of the Far East remain prosperous. As Western countries continue to post minimal economic gains, the shift in global trade towards Asia is being facilitated through regional supply and demand dynamics. Today, eight of the ten major ports in the world are all located in East Asia, the largest of which is Shanghai, followed closely by Singapore and Hong Kong.

“The purpose of building an intra-regional supply chain is to provide our customers with multiple low cost integrated solutions to help them reach core markets,” says Nakamura. Eventually, more regions within China will open up and present opportunities which Nakamura intends to capitalize on, “We closely follow the progression of China’s growth and see the country continuing its role as an important economic player. At Nippon Express, we look forward to expanding our services to the growing number of developing Chinese cities”.

Through its extensive global network and comprehensive transportation solutions, Nippon Express is committed to strengthening its position as a total logistics provider.

Nakamura: “We will continue to develop Nippon Express as a best-in-class logistics solutions provider. Adding value to our products and services will be done so in line with keeping costs low. Our business in China and Hong Kong represent a significant part of our global business and we will remain committed to expanding the quality of our services as we continue to work closely with our partners and customers in China”.