(NYK Global History available here)
1896
Liner service begins on European routes, calling at Antwerp.
London Branch opened.
1899
Liner service to London inaugurated.
1918
Mediterranean Liner service begins.
1919
Liner service to Hamburg and Liverpool begins.
1945
NYK left with only 37 vessels, having lost 185 during World War II while supporting military operations in the Pacific.
1954
Near East service re-established after a period of 13 years (monthly service to Mediterranean and Red Sea ports).
1956
Hostilities break out between Israel, UK and France against Egypt which results in the closure of the Suez Canal on 28th October. The canal stays closed until April 1957 and liner services are re-routed via the Cape.
1957
London staff allowed to take holidays aboard NYK vessels while transiting European and Mediterranean ports for a cost of £1 a day!
1965
Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry Floating Fair Ship tours major North European ports to display a selective range of Japanese products designed for the European market.
1967
The '7 Day War' between Egypt and Israel results in the second closing of the Suez Canal, which remains closed for the next 6 years.
1968
Containerisation". The Trio Consortium is established. The joint venture, comprising OCL, Ben Line, NYK, MOL and Hapag Lloyd, is set up with the intention to introduce a fully containerised joint service between N. Europe and the Far East by 1972.
1970
The inauguration of the NYK Japan/Far East - West Africa joint service with the Congolese Maritime Company.
1971
The Trio Service is inaugurated on schedule - NYK's m.v. "Kamakura Maru" sails from Japan in December.
1972
Following the Trio Consortium, the 'Mediterranean Far East Consortium' (or Med Club) is established to containerise this trade, comprising Lloyd Triestino, Messagerie Maritime, Chargeurs Reunie, NYK and MOL. The Med Club serves from Barcelona, Marseilles, Genoa and Trieste to/from Singapore Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.
1990
First Intra-European trade begins - the North West Europe-Portugal service.
1994
Creation of NYK Own agencies within Europe, starting with UK, quickly followed by Benelux, Germany and Sweden. This was later followed by Denmark and Finland.
1990's
Emergence of the MegaCarrier competitors. Introduction of the FEFC new tariff NT 90.
2005
NYK Liner office opens in France on 1st April 2005. A controlling stake in Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) is established.
2006
NYK Liner offices are established in Russia and Italy (June 2006).
2007
NYK's Liner, RORO and Logistics companies in Europe merge to form NYK Group Europe Ltd.
2010
In October 2010, NYK purchases 50% shares in Knutsen Offshore Tankers to form Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT).
2011
New medium-term management plan, "More Than Shipping 2013", launched.
On 1st April 2011, NYK Logistics merged with Yusen Air and Sea to form Yusen Logistics.
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2012
NYK's Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) was the first in the world to be certified by ClassNK.
A plan was announced for the building of four post-Panamax pure car and truck carriers equipped with the latest energy-saving technology.
2013
NYK established a consortium company, Japan LNG investment, in the U.S. State of Louisiana together with Mitsubishi Corporation to possibly participate in the Cameron LNG project.
Receipt of Numerous Environmental Awards : Soyo, an NYK-owned coal carrier, was selected as the 2012 Ship of the Year. NYK received the highest award at the 2013 Mikkei Global Environmental Technology Awards in recognition of the NYK's Group's use of an energy-saving air-lubrication system for vessels.
2014
NYK announced its new medium-term management plan, "More Than Shipping 2018- Stage 2 leveraged by Creative Solutions", a five-year plan starting from April 2014.
Practical use of LNG fuel: United European Car Carriers (UECC), which is jointly owned by NYK and Wallenius Lines, signed a contract to construct two dual-fuel LNG pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).
NYK decided to build the world's first LNG bunkering vessel to participate in the LNG bunkering business.