Shoei Kisen Kaisha

What Shoei Kisen Kaisha does

Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (正栄汽船株式会社) is a Japanese private shipowner and charterer, headquartered in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, with a sales office in Tokyo. The company operates as a core member of the Imabari Shipbuilding Group, Japan's largest new shipbuilder, and owns a fleet of more than 100 state-of-the-art vessels spanning mega container carriers (up to 24,000 TEU), LNG carriers, VLCC crude oil tankers (310,000 D/W), bulk carriers (ranging from Handy-size to 208,000 DWT), product/chemical tankers, and pure car carriers (PCCs). Approximately 1,000 seafarers plus shore-based staff manage the fleet in-house, covering the full vessel lifecycle from newbuild specification to ongoing operations. The Tokyo sales office is co-located with Imabari Shipbuilding's sales teams, supporting tight coordination across the shipowner-shipbuilder relationship.

The company's fleet technologies emphasize emissions reduction and energy efficiency. LNG dual-fuel propulsion on car carriers delivers 25-30% CO2 reduction, near 100% SOx elimination, and 80-90% NOx reduction via EGR. The RAGA vessel design reduces wind resistance by 30%, addressing both fuel economy and anti-piracy considerations. Additional features include bow wind cover technology on ultra-large container vessels, SOx scrubber systems, bulkhead-less car carrier ramps, and Starlink satellite communications for vessel-shore connectivity. Recognized accomplishments include the M.V. ONE COSMOS (Best Quality Ship 2022 Award from Japan Federation of Pilots) and the M.V. ONE INNOVATION / M.V. ONE INFINITY (Ship of the Year 2023 from Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers).

Revenue is generated primarily through long-term vessel chartering (10-15 year contracts) to major domestic and international shipping operators, with secondary real estate holdings. Customers include NYK Line, MOL, Kawasaki Kisen (K Line), Ocean Network Express (ONE), Maersk, Evergreen, Yang Ming, Pacific Basin, Norden, Navios, and Ultranav, deployed on Asia-Europe, Trans-Pacific, and Japan-Europe routes. Average annual sales are approximately 100 billion JPY, with individual transactions at the tens to hundreds of billions of yen scale. Recent strategic moves include founding Sakura Ocean Corporation (2026 joint venture with Onomichi Dockyard, KAMBARA KISEN, and SOMEC), a 4.7% acquisition in Eitzen Avanti AS (Norway, 2026), co-investment in Somec Corporation (formerly Sojitz Senpaku, 2025), and a strategic investment in PowerX, Inc. (2023) focused on shipping decarbonization.

Name

Shoei Kisen Kaisha

Legal name

SHOEI KISEN KAISHA, LTD.

Website

https://shoei-kisen.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shoei Kisen Kaisha is a Japanese shipowner within the Imabari Shipbuilding Group operating 100+ modern vessels (mega container carriers, LNG carriers, bulkers, VLCCs, and pure car carriers) chartered globally to major shipping lines under 10-15 year contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Vessel Chartering

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Finished Vehicle Ocean RoRo & Deep-Sea Vehicle Carriers (TLADAJAC)

Keywords

• Ship chartering services
• Commercial vessel ownership
• Maritime fleet leasing
• Ocean cargo shipping
• Ship management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ship Chartering Business: Core revenue stream from chartering owned vessels to shipping operators worldwide. Charter contracts typically 10-15 years. Provides vessels to operators in Japan and internationally.
2. Real Estate Holding: Real estate holdings contributing to revenue alongside core shipping operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Shoei Kisen Kaisha is a shipowner that owns over 100 state-of-the-art vessels and charters them to domestic and international shipping operators under long-term contracts (typically 10-15 years). The fleet spans mega container carriers (up to 24,000 TEU), LNG-fueled car carriers, LNG carriers, bulk carriers, VLCCs, and product/chemical tankers. The company also earns revenue from real estate holdings and provides comprehensive ship management services across its fleet.

Product overview

Shoei Kisen Kaisha is a shipowner with 100+ state-of-the-art vessels operating as part of the Imabari Shipbuilding Group. The company offers a diverse fleet portfolio including: RAGA mega container carrier with wind-resistant design; 20,000-24,000 TEU class mega container carriers (MILLAU BRIDGE, M.V. ONE INNOVATION, M.V. ONE INGENUITY); CASTILLO DE MERIDA LNG carrier; Bulk Carriers ranging from 30,000 to 208,000 DWT; PCC (Pure Car Carriers) for automobile transport including M.V. UNDINE HIGHWAY and M.V. LAPIS ACE; VLCC Crude Oil Carriers; and Product/Chemical Tankers. The company also recently launched DENBA+ Marine food freshness preservation technology for its fleet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RAGA (Great Victory) Mega Container Carrier A mega container carrier featuring a streamlined superstructure design that reduces wind resistance by 30%, addressing energy conservation and anti-piracy measures simultaneously. Chartered to global shipping operators.
• 20,000 TEU Class Mega Container Carrier One of the world's largest mega container carriers at the time of construction, featuring dramatically improved fuel efficiency and loading efficiency as a flagship vessel of the Imabari Shipbuilding Group.
• M.V. ONE INNOVATION (24,000 TEU Container Carrier) 24,000 TEU container carrier with bow wind cover and SOx scrubber. Winner of Ship of the Year 2023 award from Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers. Chartered by Ocean Network Express (ONE), Liberia-flagged, deployed on Asia-Europe route.
• M.V. ONE INGENUITY (24,000 TEU Mega Container Carrier with Starlink) 24,000 TEU mega container carrier equipped with Starlink next-generation satellite communication service for enhanced vessel-shore connectivity and crew welfare. Chartered by Ocean Network Express (ONE).
• CASTILLO DE MERIDA LNG Carrier LNG carrier with one of Japan's largest capacities, incorporating advanced technologies throughout the vessel that have received high industry acclaim.
• Bulk Carrier Fleet (30,000–208,000 DWT) Bulk carrier fleet ranging from 30,000-ton Handy Size to over 208,000 DWT Capesize, transporting iron ore, lumber, and grains. Includes Capesize CAPE HOPE (170,000 DWT).
• VLCC Crude Oil Carrier (310,000 DWT) Very Large Crude Carrier transporting crude oil mainly from the Middle East to Japan. Length comparable to Tokyo Tower, essential to the Japanese economy.
• PCC Pure Car Carrier (7,500 Cars Type) Automobile carrier with complex deck structure reminiscent of a multi-story parking garage. Operates international routes between Japan and North America/Europe.
• M.V. LAPIS ACE (LNG Dual-Fuel Car Carrier) Cutting-edge 7,000 RT cars type LNG dual-fueled vehicle carrier achieving 25-30% CO2 reduction, near 100% SOx elimination, and 80-90% NOx reduction. Chartered by MOL.
• M.V. UNDINE HIGHWAY (LNG Dual-Fuel Car Carrier) 7,000 RT cars type LNG dual-fueled vehicle carrier with high-pressure dual fuel engine. Panama-flagged, NK-classed vessel deployed on Japan-Europe route. Chartered by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.
• Product Carrier (52,000 DWT Chemical/Product Tanker) Tanker carrying refined petroleum products derived from crude oil. Essential to world economic development.
• Ship Chartering Services (Long-Term Vessel Leasing) Comprehensive ship chartering services providing owned vessels to domestic and international shipping operators under long-term agreements (typically 10-15 years). Includes diverse fleet types ranging from 1,700 TEU containers to 20,000 TEU mega container vessels.
• Full Ship Management Services Comprehensive in-house ship management services covering safe and reliable vessel operations from newbuild through fleet deployment and ongoing operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25-30% CO2 emission reduction compared to conventional fuel oil-powered vessels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sakura Ocean CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Jointly funded shipowning company established by SHOEI KISEN, Onomichi Dockyard, KAMBARA KISEN, and SOMEC Corporation. Sakura Ocean orders, constructs, owns, charters, manages, operates and sells vessels. First fleet project includes 3 bulk carriers (40-type and 42-type) being built by Imabari, Onomichi, and Tsuneishi shipyards for delivery by 2030.
• Sojitz Senpaku Corporation (Somec Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2025Share transfer agreement with Sojitz Corporation to acquire shares in Sojitz Senpaku, which was established following corporate split of Sojitz's ship trading business. Renamed Somec Corporation. Investment made together with ORIX Corporation and Sojitz Corporation.
• The Mission to SeafarersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal charity dedicated to assisting seafarers. SHOEI supports their activities and participates as sponsor in Adventure Race Japan 2025. Recognition of seafarers as essential workers sustaining global trade.
• Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (今治造船株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent group company and main shipyard partner. Imabari Shipbuilding is Japan's largest new shipbuilder and one of the world's leading shipbuilders. All newbuild vessels constructed at Imabari facilities including Marugame Headquarters and Tadotsu Shipyard.
• Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. (尾道造船株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipbuilding partner in Sakura Ocean joint venture. Sakura Ocean's first project includes one 40-type bulk carrier to be built by Onomichi Dockyard. Also operates Tokyo office sales section.
• KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd. (神原汽船株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Sakura Ocean joint venture. Sakura Ocean joint venture partners include SHOEI KISEN, Onomichi Dockyard, KAMBARA KISEN, and SOMEC Corporation.
• TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. (常石造船株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipbuilding partner in Sakura Ocean project. Building one 42-type bulk carrier for delivery by 2030. Part of Sakura Ocean fleet development initiative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line): Japanese shipping operator with significant fleet exposure in containers, LNG, PCTs, and dry bulk. Directly comparable in fleet mix and geography, and a current charterer of Shoei's LNG-fueled PCT M.V. UNDINE HIGHWAY.
• Pacific Basin Shipping: Hong Kong-listed dry bulk shipowner operating a fleet of Handysize and Supramax bulkers. Direct comparable as a publicly-traded pure shipowner focused on long-term charter income, and an existing Shoei customer.
• NS United Kaiun Kaisha: Japanese shipowner with diversified dry bulk and energy fleet. Closely comparable to Shoei as a Japan-based, asset-heavy shipowner focused on long-term chartering relationships.
• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL): Major Japanese shipping operator with a large owned and chartered fleet spanning containers, LNG, tankers, and PCTs. Direct comparable as a Japanese-headquartered, fleet-heavy maritime transportation company, and a current charter customer of Shoei Kisen.
• NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha): One of Japan's largest shipping companies with substantial owned tonnage across containers, LNG, PCTs, and bulkers. Comparable as a Japanese flagship shipowner/operator and existing Shoei charterer.
• Kambara Kisen: Japanese shipowner operating a diversified fleet of bulk carriers, PCTs, and other vessels. Direct peer in business model (pure shipowner/charterer) and a co-investor with Shoei Kisen in the Sakura Ocean JV.

Broad incumbents

• ITOCHU Corporation: Japanese trading conglomerate with significant shipping and logistics investments. Comparable as a Japanese diversified group with maritime asset exposure, though shipping is one segment within a much broader portfolio.
• Mitsui & Co. Major Japanese trading house with extensive shipping and shipowning investments, including stakes in LNG and dry bulk operators. Comparable as a Japanese-headquartered diversified investor in maritime assets.
• Ocean Network Express (ONE): Top global container line operator and a major charter customer of Shoei's 24,000 TEU mega container newbuilds. Comparable in operating segment (containers), though focused on liner operations rather than asset ownership.
• A.P. Moller-Maersk: World's largest container operator with significant owned and chartered tonnage. Comparable in scale of container shipping exposure and a current Shoei charterer, but a far broader, integrated logistics provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shoei-kisen-kaisha

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shoei Kisen Kaisha