NYK Joins 'Consortium to develop trade data sharing platform using blockchain technology'
NYK participated in the "Consortium to develop trade data sharing platform using blockchain technology," formed by NTT DATA Corporation (headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Toshio Iwamoto). The consortium is comprised of 14 companies from various sectors involved in trade-related business including banking, insurance, integrated logistics, import and export, and others.
Trade procedures are time-consuming, as exchange of paper-based documents is required. This consortium aims to streamline processes for trade data sharing between verticals and businesses using blockchain technology. It is the very first consortium ever launched in Japan that transcends across diverse industries in trade-related business*.
NYK Group joined the consortium for blockchain technology concerning that it has a potential to be the plat-form of logistics supply chain and it will result in improving our service in future. NYK Business Systems Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Tetsuji Madarame), an NYK Group company which oversees NYK Group's information technology, will also actively cooperate with this consortium.
NYK Group will continue to collaborate with parties of various fields, and proactively apply information and communication technology (ICT) including IoT and big data in shipping operations, in order to meet the demands of customers and society for safe, economical, and environmentally friendly shipping operations.
Summary of this consortium
This consortium is designed to explore solutions to the challenges in trade procedures between businesses, across industries and national boundaries as well as to conduct POCs** for enhancing efficiency and reliability in trade procedures using blockchain.
Period of activity
August 2017 to March 2018 (scheduled)
Major Activities
Exploring solutions to issues to enable practical application
Validation of the feasibility in real-life operations (studying expected efficiency benefits included)
Examination on future possibilities to develop systems, etc.
Figure. Scope of activity of the consortium
Participant companies (Alphabetical order)
Companies listed below will participate in this consortium.
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ('K' LINE)
Marubeni Corporation
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc./ Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
NTT DATA Corporation
NYK Line
Sojitz Corporation
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
Toyota Tsusho Corporation
*According to a survey by NTT DATA
**POC stands for Proof Of Concept, which means a positive attempt for demonstrating that a new concept, theory, principle, and the like can be realized.
NYK Holds Annual Dry Bulk Safety Conference
On September 1st, NYK held its annual Dry Bulk Safety Conference at the company???s headquarters in Tokyo to review safety awareness and share updated guidelines for safe cargo operations. A total of 90 participants from 50 Japanese shipowners and ship-management companies attended.
This conference has been held every year since 2010 to promote safety by exchanging ideas about safety policy and sharing information about recent incidents with shipowners and ship-management company representatives.
This year, NYK released its recently updated "Essential-15" safe cargo operation guidelines and emphasized how the guidelines can result in the higher quality transport of dry bulk cargo.
The NYK Group will continue its efforts to maintain safe operations in cooperation with NYK affiliates, shipowners, and ship-management companies.
NYK Provides Free Transport of Footwear for Tongan Children
NYK has provided free ocean transport of children???s sandals from Japan to Tonga using a vessel operated by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd. (NBP), an NYK Group company.
5,000 pairs of new sandals, which were donated by a Japanese private donor from Niigata Prefecture to the government of the Kingdom of Tonga, were shipped from Yokohama on NBP-operated South Islander. The new footwear arrived at the Tongan port of Nuku'alofa last month, and a ceremony to present the sandals to the Tonga Red Cross Society was held at the Queen Salote Wharf. At the event, HRH Princess Marcella Kalaniuvalu Fotofili entrusted the gift to Mr. Sione Taumoefolau, the secretary general of the Tonga Red Cross Society, in the presence of H.E. Lady Fusitu???a, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tonga to Japan.
Mr. Taumoefolau conveyed his gratitude for the sandals, which will be distributed by the Red Cross to children not only on the main island but also on the remote islands of Eua, Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Niuas, among others.
The NYK Group has established a good relationship with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga in Japan and the government of Tonga, and previously offered free shipping for donated rugby balls. NYK will continue to use its logistics and transport services, facilities, and networks across oceans, land, and air to demonstrate the group's commitment to social contribution activities.
NYK's President, Captains, and Chief Engineers Exchange Opinions on Safe Operations
On August 24, 16 NYK executive officers and a group of six vessel captains and chief engineers held a meeting at NYK headquarters in Tokyo to openly exchange opinions about the safe operation of vessels that NYK Group is managing and operating.
This meeting is part of NYK???s two-month Remember Naka-no-Se safety campaign,* and is chaired by NYK president Tadaaki Naito, who oversees NYK???s Safety and Environmental Management Committee** so that top management can exchange direct opinions with captains and chief engineers to develop further practical measures with respect to safe operation of our vessels.
At the meeting, president Naito commented, ???I would like you to make use of the voice of the Gemba to strengthen safety management which result in the company???s competitiveness???.
In addition, as part of the safety campaign, president Naito visited Zeus Leader, a pure car and truck carrier at Daikoku terminal on August 29. During the two-month campaign, over 400 NYK Group executives and employees also visited about 200 vessels to exchange opinions and strengthen safety awareness between onboard crew and offshore staff.
NYK will further advance its safety management systems, positioning navigational safety as one of its most important tasks, and will aim to strengthen the company???s competitiveness.
* Remember Naka-no-Se Safety Campaign
To ensure that the lessons learned from the Diamond Grace oil spill in July 1997 remain fresh, NYK conducts a two-month safety campaign every year from July 1. During this period, top management at NYK reconfirms the importance of safe operations with all NYK employees.
** Safety and Environmental Management Committee
NYK???s highest decision-making body related to safety measures and environmental issues. The committee was established in April 2004 and is chaired by the president.
NYK Maritime Museum and NYK Hikawamaru Receive National Maritime Award
Today, the NYK Maritime Museum and NYK Hikawamaru were recognized by Japan???s prime minister for the public service to the nation by the museum and the museum ship and for the contributions made to generate awareness about Japan???s history as an oceanic state. Both were recognized under the ???Education, dissemination, and increase of public interest??? sector of the ???Special Contribution to Marine-Based Development of Japan??? category at the Tenth National Maritime Awards.
- Related Link
Website: NYK Maritime Museum and NYK Hikawamaru, https://www.nyk.com/rekishi/e/
