ONE Hasn’t Finalized Any Orders

The newly established Ocean Network Express (ONE) is keeping its fleet expansion plans on ice for the time being.

A spokesperson for ONE told World Maritime News that this year the company will dedicate its efforts to ensure smooth operation of its business.

The joint venture, established in July 2017 in Singapore through the merger of Japan’s shipping lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), commenced service on April 1, 2018.

Namely, at this point, the key priority for the JV is to harness synergies from the three liners it is made up of under the new brand.

The statement was made following media reports that linked the company to a potential order for 20,000 TEU vessels.

“At this stage, ONE has not finalized any orders,” the spokesperson said. “When there is demand growth, we will prepare our capacity in line with it.”

Earlier this month the company launched its first magenta containership at Imabari Shipbuilding in Japan.

The 14,000 TEU ship is named ONE Manato and will now undergo final touches before it gets delivered in December 2018.

It is the first tailor-made boxship for the company, featuring the magenta livery and ONE logo on its hull, as the company’s current fleet is made up of a combination of containerships of the Japanese trio.

ONE’s fleet is comprised of 230 vessels totaling 1.44 million TEUs.

World Maritime News staff