#02

PEOPLE

Meet Our People

Driven by a global mindset, we connect shipowners and operators worldwide to deliver optimal solutions.

Shuhei Takano
General Manager, Chartering Department
Joined in 2011

Career History

2011: Joined a major human resources (HR) company
2012: Joined Orient Marine, handling vessel operations and chartering
2014: Assigned to the Chartering Department
2016: Seconded to the Shipping Department of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
2021: Returned to the Chartering Department
2021: Appointed General Manager of the Geneva Branch
2024: Appointed General Manager of the Chartering Department (current position)

Experience & Skills

Language skills acquired through living overseas from early childhood through middle school
Strong communication skills developed through B2B sales in my previous career

Motivation for Joining

While my role at a major HR firm was fulfillling, its scope was primarily domestic. I decided to join Orient Marine because I was drawn to its globally oriented business.

An environment beyond my expectations,
found by aiming for the world.

Reason for Career Change

With a long-held dream of working on a global stage, I encountered a company with both great scale and strong ambition.

Having lived in countries such as Switzerland, the UK, and Australia during my childhood, I naturally came to aspire to work on a global scale. However, the company I joined after graduating from university operated primarily within the domestic market. As my desire to fulfilll my childhood dream grew stronger, I decided to approach several companies engaged in global business. As a result, I received job offers from Orient Marine and two foreign-owned e-commerce companies. I chose Orient Marine because I felt it offered more opportunities to work internationally and provided greater exposure to overseas markets. Another deciding factor was the massive scale of the business and the dynamic, rewarding nature of the work. As I have a strong desire for personal growth, I was also deeply attracted to a corporate culture that actively supports and encourages such ambition.

Gaps Between Expectations and Reality After Joining

An Open and Flat Culture That Encourages New Challenges

Before joining, I had the preconceived notion that, as a Mitsui & Co. group company, the organization might be more hierarchical and bureaucratic. However, after joining, I was pleasantly surprised to find those preconceptions completely overturned. The actual corporate culture is very open and flat. There are strong cross-departmental connections, and I truly feel the openness of the workplace. The company is also remarkably supportive of taking on challenges, actively encouraging motivated employees to champion new initiatives. In my previous job, performance figures were the top priority in a rather demanding environment, whereas here, not only results but also the genuine desire to try new things is highly respected. Whenever you want to pursue a new idea, the company whole-heartedly backs you up with a "let's give it a try first" mindset. The ability to communicate openly and casually with management, along with this flexible and supportive environment, contributes greatly to my daily sense of fulfilllment at work.

Taking on a Global-Scale Chartering Business
Alongside Dedicated Colleagues

What Chartering Is About

We meet the diverse needs of owners and operators by brokering and securing the ideal vessel for each charter requirement.

The department I lead serves as the primary revenue engine of the company, driving our core business forward. Our central role is acting as an intermediary between owners who lease out vessels, and operators (charterers) who require them. Our portfolio includes both existing fleets and newbuildings. We are dedicated to delivering optimal, tailor-made solutions that satisfy the unique requirements of both parties. Charterers (operators) search for vessels based on a multitude of criteria, including cargo types, specific route requirements, vessel specifications, charter rates, and durations. To fulfilll these transportation demands, we leverage our extensive global network to negotiate with shipowners and shipping lines worldwide, seamlessly matching them with the most suitable vessels. However, because owners and charterers come from different standpoints, their interests are frequently in conflict. Therefore, finding a mutually acceptable middle ground and successfully concluding a charter party contract demands exceptional coordination, negotiation and relation expertise.

Moments That Give Me a Sense of Fulfillment

Tackling major projects alongside passionate colleagues—this is where you truly feel the immense impact of moving the world's shipping industries.

The greatest sense of achievement comes when we overcome complex challenges through teamwork and successfully deliver massive projects. Teamwork is the cornerstone of our operations; the grander the scale of the project, the more vital cross-functional collaboration becomes. This applies not only within the Chartering Department but also the entire organization; a single project is brought to successful completion through seamless collaboration with the Vessel Operations and Technical Departments, backed by various supporting teams. When individuals and departments align organically and cross-functionally to achieve a goal, allowing every member to share in that triumph, it brings an incomparable sense of reward. With approximately 650 of our chartered vessels operating across the world, our work serves as an indispensable lifeline for society and people's daily lives. Knowing the profound scale of our social contribution gives me an immense sense of pride and fulfilllment.

Challenges to Shape
the Future of Shipping,
and the Vision Beyond

A Memorable Initiative

Responding to Decarbonization Needs by Creating the World's First Methanol-Fueled Bulk Carrier

One initiative that left a strong impression on me was the newbuilding project for the world’s first methanol-fueled bulk carrier. This project was undertaken in response to the specific needs of Cargill, a major U.S. agricultural commodities leader and our key charterer. Traditionally, the shipping industry has relied heavily on fuel oil, which has long drawn scrutiny due to its high CO2 emissions. Amid the accelerating global trend toward decarbonization, shifting away from conventional heavy fuel oil has become a major challenge for the entire industry. To address this urgent need, we worked closely with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. from the initial vessel design stage. By incorporating a large, independent methanol fuel tank, we successfully secured an optimal steaming range that fully satisfies customer requirements despite using alternative fuel. Successfully delivering a next-generation vessel that balances environmental performance with economic viability—thereby reducing environmental impact—has given me an immense sense of pride.

Future Goals and Vision

Strengthening Our Collaboration with Mitsui & Co. to Build a Company with Greater Global Presence

I was appointed as General Manager of the chartering department in 2024. Moving forward, I aim to further enhance my management capabilities and grow into a leader who can contribute to creating an environment where both employees and the organization can truly thrive. While the Chartering Department is a relatively large team of 17 members, I want to foster a dynamic, highly focused environment where everyone can truly enjoy the fulfilllment of their work. From an organizational perspective, I want the company to grow into one with an even stronger global presence. To achieve this, we aim to further strengthen our collaboration with our parent company, Mitsui & Co., and continue providing unparalleled value to the maritime industry. Looking ahead, I aspire to continue my professional growth to eventually participate in key corporate decision-making, helping shape business strategy and steer the company’s future course.

To Those Looking to Thrive
at the Forefront
of a Growing Industry

To Future Candidates

I look forward to working with individuals who deeply resonate with our mission to contribute to society by sustaining global shipping.

We offer a globally active, stable platform where you can experience deeply interpersonal work and truly share in the professional joys and triumphs of each project. If you possess a strong drive for growth and a passion for collaboration, we provide the ideal environment to fully realize your potential. Since our establishment in 1988, we have driven steady, uninterrupted growth for over three decades. To sustain this momentum over the next 30 years, it is crucial that we maintain our competitive edge and relentlessly challenge ourselves within the market. We must never settle for the status quo, but instead embrace a forward-thinking mindset to actively pave new paths. As a form of logistics, shipping is an essential function for society. We eagerly await the next generation of talent who will share in our mission to drive global shipping and contribute to society.

ONE DAY SCHEDULE A Typical Workday

9:00: Email Correspondence
10:00: Internal Meeting: Reporting on Chartering Negotiation Progress

12:00: Lunch
13:00: Client Visits (Charterers): Assessing Operational & Chartering Needs
15:00: Meeting with European Shipowners Regarding Future Chartering
16:00: Team Sync & Reviewing Current Operational Issues
18:00: Dinner with Business Contacts

Personal Time

I enjoy watching sports, particularly Major League Baseball. To stay sharp, I hit the gym twice a week and have recently been hooked on rejuvenating myself in the sauna. I am also a ramen enthusiast and used to go around trying different ramen restaurants. I am thinking of resuming this hobby in the near future.