Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen prepared to reroute more ships away from US over tariffs, CEO says

By Kentaro Okasaka

Tokyo (Reuters) -Japon shipper Kawasaki Kisen (K -Line) sets US services and potentially supports higher USAs and is preparing to re -direct more ships to other regions tariffsCEO Takenori Igarashi said on Wednesday.

“There were times when ships could not be fully loaded on some routes, and when we reduce the frequency of container services from East Asia to the United States,” Igarashi took his duty in March.

“We set our fleet capacity according to cargo volumes.”

Kawasaki Kisen, one of the largest transportation companies in Japan, affected the impact of 30 billion yen ($ 200 million) from the US tariffs until March 2026 and a shot on automobile carrier business and lower container volumes and load rates.

Igarashi said that the container ship business will be affected by the outcome of the US-China tariff negotiations, especially the company.

WE President Donald Trump Unless he accepted trade agreements before the deadline for August 1, he threatened higher tariffs on a number of trading partners.

Igarashi may have some positive effects if the transport distances are prolonged, depending on the tariff rates of various countries and what they do to trade the flows.

Kawasaki Kisen said that he could direct ships to Europe, Middle East, Australia and Africa from the US roads to adapt to the demand for the tariff at an operational level.

“When it comes to strategic adjustments, for example, we can reduce assets a little bit of ships, but suddenly we can’t make harsh interruptions unless it is clear about the direction of trade policies,” he said. “Still wait and see.”

($ 1 = 149.8000 yen)

(Reporting by Kentaro OKASAKA.