NYK looks ahead to a year of Trump opportunities and regional delegationNYK looks ahead to a year of Trump opportunities and regional delegation

2025 will be a year of mixed challenges and opportunities for NYK Group, its president and CEO Takaya Soga said in his new year’s address.

On the economic front, Soga said the US is likely to remain the backbone of the global economy when President Trump takes power in January, with import volumes likely to remain stable in the event of import tariffs so long as the US economy maintains its strength. 

“Consequently, we expect some level of demand for transportation to be sustained, along with opportunities arising from deregulation policies,” said Soga.

One policy area that could threaten demand in the US is immigration, should Trump’s decisions reduce the workforce and/or limit their purchasing power. The president-elect’s foreign policy remains unclear, but movement towards peace in the Russia-Ukraine war could bring substantial reconstruction in Ukraine and related opportunities for NYK Group, he said.

Outside of the US, Soga noted China’s moves to offset slowing domestic demand by increasing exports, uneven growth in the EU, and the high medium- to long-term potential in markets like India and Africa.

“It is essential that we sharpen our awareness of the values that these nations and their people seek now and in the future so that we can identify business opportunities and contribute to the maintenance and expansion of our group’s operations,” said Soga.

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Within the group, NYK plans to focus on corporate and digital transformation in 2025. “Regarding [digital transformation], we need to explore how our colleagues worldwide can work more vibrantly and autonomously. We aim to break free from a mentality that merely follows directives from Tokyo and instead create an environment and systems that allow each region and country to autonomously enhance the corporate value of the NYK Group,” said Soga.

The initiative creates opportunities both for Japanese expatriates in oversea markets and for international staff to work in Tokyo delegating authority for the management of local subsidiaries to regional management teams.

Automation will play a role in the company’s digital transformation, from the development of autonomous vessels to automated warehouses and automated carpooling. “We should also adopt a mindset that allows machines to handle tasks they can do, thereby encouraging each individual to innovate in our everyday processes,” said Soga.

NYK Group had 823 vessels in operation at the end of September 2024, including 50 container ships, 124 car carriers, 440 dry bulkers, 66 tankers, and 91 LNG carriers.

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