IINO President's 2026 New Year's Greetings
January 5, 2026
IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (IINO Lines)
Yusuke Otani, President and Representative Director of IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. delivered his New Year's greetings for 2026 to all executives and employees of the IINO Group on January 5.
Happy New Year everyone. As we begin our work in 2026, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone across our organization--from those in our shipping and real estate divisions to the seafarers working tirelessly at sea.
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our staff, both on land and at sea, for your unwavering commitment to safety and professionalism over the past year. Thanks to your dedicated efforts, the IINO Group has achieved solid and meaningful results.
In Japan, 2025 saw a resurgence in the stock market, with the Nikkei Stock Average surpassing the historic 50,000 yen mark at the end of October driven by a weaker yen and strong performance from semiconductor and export-related companies. Against this economic backdrop and rising prices, the Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate to 0.75% in December, marking the highest level in 30 years and signaling a clear shift toward economic normalization.
On the political front, October brought significant change with the election of Sanae Takaichi as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and the formation of Japan's 104th Cabinet. The new administration, recognizing the urgency of addressing geopolitical risks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and declining growth potential due to demographic shifts, launched the "Japan Growth Strategy Headquarters." Among its 17 strategic focus areas, shipbuilding has been designated a key foundational industry. The government aims to revitalize the sector and enhance its global competitiveness by strengthening international logistics infrastructure. A public-private investment of approximately one trillion yen has been committed, and a roadmap for shipbuilding revitalization was released at the end of last year. This roadmap sets an ambitious target: doubling Japan's annual shipbuilding output from the current 9 million gross tons to 18 million gross tons by 2035. To achieve this, the plan includes expanding shipbuilding facilities through digital transformation (DX), securing and developing skilled personnel, and establishing international rules for decarbonization. It also seeks to capture demand for zero-emission vessels and promote international technical cooperation, particularly with the United States. As a Japanese shipowner, our company must actively engage with and stay informed about these developments.
Globally, the year began with additional U.S. tariffs that disrupted the global economy. Although the U.S.-China port surcharge measures are currently suspended until November, they remain a potential risk, contributing to ongoing uncertainty. The conflict in Ukraine continues without resolution, and ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have seen little progress. Tensions in the Middle East remain high, and the free navigation of vessels is still being hindered.
On the environmental front, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided in October to postpone by one year its deliberations on adopting the "Net Zero Framework" aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. This has slowed global progress toward GHG reduction in the maritime sector.
Amid these challenges, the IINO Group is approaching the final year of its current mid-term management plan, "The Adventure to Our Sustainable Future." I would like to briefly reflect on our progress over the past year.
We have already completed approximately 90% of our \100 billion investment target. In our shipping business, we took delivery of the chemical tanker CHEMROAD KAIA in August, followed by the delivery of our first ethane carrier, IINO INEOS VESTÁ, in September. Today, January 5, we took delivery of the second ethane carrier, IINO INEOS SUNNA, and later this month, the chemical tanker CHEMROAD ODYSSEY is also scheduled for delivery. In real estate, our second U.S. project, the PRESS BLOCK in Portland, was completed in October. Beyond shipping and real estate, the Akita Sarukawa Solar Power Plant commenced operations at the end of last year, contributing to an annual reduction of approximately 290 tons of CO₂ emissions. Both our growth and environmental investments are progressing steadily, and we remain committed to achieving our investment targets within the remaining timeframe. Financially, we are also nearing our planned goals. Let us continue working together to optimize fleet deployment, control costs, and achieve our objectives.
The year 2026 corresponds to "Hinoe-Uma (Fire Horse)" in the traditional Japanese zodiac. "Hinoe" symbolizes the radiant fire of the sun and abundant vitality, while "Uma (Horse)" represents the south and the peak of the sun at noon--signifying momentum and the height of fortune. Historically, "Hinoe-Uma" has been associated with powerful energy, decisive action, and transformation.
This year marks a significant milestone as we launch our new medium-term management plan. While the plan is currently being formulated, we are focusing on three key strategic priorities: business growth, human and financial capital, and environmental initiatives. Discussions are underway to shape these pillars into the foundation of our strategy. Our goal is to advance our business, enhance capital efficiency, and implement environmental measures--intergrated through the strengthening of our human capital. Together, we aim to move forward as one unified organization.
In preparing the new plan, we have gone beyond discussions within the Board of Directors, including outside directors, and actively sought input from our younger employees. We believe it is essential for every member of our company to see the future of IINO as their own. The environment surrounding our business is undergoing dramatic change, driven by global developments, the transition to next-generation energy, environmental challenges, and rapid technological innovation.
If we liken this year to "Hinoe-Uma," let us light our path with the fire of determination and charge forward with the strength and resilience we have cultivated.
As I mentioned earlier, the rapidly changing business environment demands that we rise to new challenges. While this strengthens our sense of responsibility, it can also place strain on our physical and mental well-being. We aspire to be a company that continues to embrace challenges, but sustainable growth is only possible when our employees are healthy in both body and mind. No matter how ambitious our goals, they can only be achieved with well-being at the foundation. Please take care of yourselves and look out for one another. If you notice a colleague in need, reach out and offer support. This spirit of mutual care is essential－whether at sea or on land. The company is fully committed to supporting your health and well-being and ensuring a fulfilling work environment.
In closing, I wish for the safe operation of all vessels in our fleet, the continued safety and security of our properties, the ongoing prosperity of our group companies, and the health and happiness of all our employees and their families.
Thank you for your attention, and I wish you all a successful and fulfilling year ahead.
End