| 1919 |
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha established. |
| 1919-04 |
In April 1919, Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation was established based on the proposal of the president of Kawasaki Dockyard, Kojiro Matsukata, to respond to the surplus of ships in Japan and strengthen domestic shipping. |
| 1919-04 |
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha was established. |
| 1921 |
In 1921, the "K" Line was established in London. |
| 1921 |
In 1921, the "K" Line was established in London. The second row in the center is Kojiro Matsukata. |
| 1921 |
In 1921, Kojiro Matsukata, who served as president of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation, and International Steamship, stayed in London and proposed a joint operation of the fleets owned by the three companies. Upon gaining support, he immediately issued instructions to the headquarters of the three companies. As a result, 'K' Line was established in London, and the funnel mark became a red background with white characters 'K'. |
| 1941 |
At the start of the Pacific War, owned 36 ships with a total tonnage of 260,108 tons. |
| 1945 |
During World War II, "K" Line was devastated, losing many ships, and only 12 ships remained at the end of the war. |
| 1945 |
After the war, "K" Line revived by raising the semi-sunken "Seikawa Maru" off Yamaguchi Prefecture due to air raids, and used it as a main vessel. |
| 1945 |
At the end of World War II in 1945, only 12 ships remained. |
| 1945 |
At the end of the Pacific War, owned 12 ships with a total tonnage of 31,111 tons. |
| 1948 |
Due to the war, 'K' Line was devastated, with many ships requisitioned by the military and over 1,400 crew members lost their lives in fierce attacks. The ships lost numbered 56, and only 12 ships remained at the end of the war. After the war, the 'Seikawa Maru' was salvaged and revived to serve as a main vessel. |
| 1948 |
Raised the sunken New York liner "Seikawa Maru" during the war and began rebuilding the fleet. |
| 1951 |
Started with the opening of the Japan/Bangkok regular route, then rapidly resumed and established major regular routes. |
| 1957 |
Constructed the oil tanker "Fujikawa Maru" and began developing the oil tanker fleet. |
| 1960 |
With increasing demand for resources and raw materials, we began to convert ships for resource and industrial raw material transportation, starting with the iron ore dedicated ship 'Fukukawa Maru'. We resumed oil tanker operations in 1953 and built new tankers such as 'Shinanogawa Maru' in the 1960s. |
| 1960 |
Built the iron ore ship "Fukugawa Maru" (first generation) and began developing a dedicated fleet. |
| 1964 |
In 1964, bases were established in Thailand, in 1968 in Hong Kong, and in 1974 in Singapore, advancing into Asian routes. |
| 1964 |
In 1964, in Thailand, in 1968, in Hong Kong, and in 1974, in Singapore, we actively established bases across Asia. |
| 1964 |
Merged Iino Kisen Co., Ltd. through the consolidation of Japan Marine, becoming the core company of the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Group (capital of 9 billion yen). |
| 1968 |
In 1964, in Thailand, in 1968, in Hong Kong, and in 1974, in Singapore, we actively established bases across Asia. |
| 1968 |
We started container ship services, containerizing the California route in 1969, and subsequently expanded containerization on major routes. In 1971, we established the Far East-North America Pacific coast route independently. |
| 1968 |
Launched Japan's first container ship "Goulden Gate Bridge" on the Japan/California route. |
| 1968 |
Formed a partnership with Danish shipping company Maersk Line and opened Japan/Europe routes. |
| 1968 |
Constructed the car and bulk carrier "Daito Toyoda Maru" and began developing a dedicated car carrier fleet. |
| 1969 |
Partnered with Australian government shipping company ANL and started container ship services on Japan/Southeast Australia routes. |
| 1970 |
We built Japan's first car-only ship, 'Daito Toyoda Maru', and advanced the conversion of ships for automobile transportation. |
| 1970 |
Started container ship services on Japan/North Pacific coast routes. |
| 1970 |
Completed Japan's first car carrier (PCC) "Daito Toyoda Maru". |
| 1971 |
Established a local subsidiary, International Transportation Service, Inc., in Long Beach, and began operating overseas terminals. |
| 1972 |
Start of container ship service on Japan-Far East / New York route |
| 1974 |
In 1964, in Thailand, in 1968, in Hong Kong, and in 1974, in Singapore, we actively established bases across Asia. |
| 1974 |
Joined the European Union independently |
| 1975 |
Formed the ACE Group with 5 foreign shipping companies for joint shipping to respond to containerization between Japan-Far East / Europe |
| 1983 |
Japan's first LNG ship, 'Bisyu Maru', was completed. |
| 1983 |
Launched the first LNG ship under Japanese registry, |
| 1985 |
In 1985, the Plaza Accord was concluded. |
| 1986 |
Exited the joint shipping system of 4 Japanese shipping companies on Japan-Far East / California route, started solo shipping, and launched container transport dedicated trains connecting Long Beach / Chicago / New York |
| 1986 |
Exited the joint operation system of 5 Japanese shipping companies on Japan-Far East / New York route, and transitioned to a joint service with 2 foreign ships for around-the-world service eastward |
| 1988 |
Exited the joint shipping system of 2 Japanese ships on Japan-Far East / North America West Coast route, and started solo shipping |
| 1989 |
Reorganized the ACE Group on European routes, transitioned to a joint operation system with 2 foreign ships, and simultaneously replaced all ships with high-speed large ships |
| 1991 |
Suspended Japan-Far East / New York route due to the development of a dedicated train network on the North American continent |
| 1993 |
Started the K.R. plan for structural reform and management strengthening |
| 1993 |
Opened the Manila Seafarer Training Center |
| 1993 |
Signed construction and provisioning contracts for 7 LNG ships for the Qatar Gas Project |
| 1994 |
Launched the new coal-only ship |
| 1995 |
Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Co., Ltd. listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange |
| 1996 |
Started joint shipping with Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation on North American and European routes |
| 1997 |
Established the Atlantic route (TASCO) with China Ocean Shipping Company. Yang Ming Marine Transport participates in this service |
| 1999 |
Automobile ship department and K Line Marine Data Service Co., Ltd. Tokyo Receiving Center obtained ISO9002 certification |
| 2000 |
Launched three new container routes (Asia / North America East Coast, Asia / Mediterranean, Mediterranean / North America East Coast). The east-west core route network is complete |
| 2000 |
Merged the subsidiary Taiyo Kaiun Co., Ltd. and Kobe Nippon Kisen Co., Ltd., and established Taiyo Nippon Kisen Co., Ltd. The reorganization of the group's ship management companies is complete |
| 2001 |
In 2001, "K" Line Pte Ltd was established in Singapore, expanding business in tanker and dry bulk transportation. |
| 2001 |
In 2001, we established 'K Line Pte Ltd' in Singapore, expanding our business in car and dry bulk transportation. |
| 2001 |
We established 'K Line Pte Ltd' in Singapore to expand into overseas markets. |
| 2001 |
Completed the construction of our first 300,000-ton VLCC |
| 2001 |
Established a training center for hazardous materials transportation ships within the training facility. Completion of installation of three cargo handling simulators. |
| 2001 |
Announcement of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Group Environmental Charter. |
| 2001 |
Singaporean shipping subsidiary "K" Line Pte Ltd begins operations. |
| 2001 |
The oversized Panamax container ship "GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE" was completed at Hyundai Heavy Industries. |
| 2001 |
Our company, Yang Ming Marine Transport, COSCO, Hanjin Shipping, and Senator Lines agree on forming an alliance. |
| 2001 |
Signed a charter contract for LNG ships for the Snowbit LNG project with the Norwegian state oil company Statoil. |
| 2002 |
Started pendulum service with a new 5,500 TEU container ship connecting Europe, Asia, and the U.S. West Coast. |
| 2002 |
Obtained ISO 14001 certification from the Japan Marine Association (NK). |
| 2002 |
Established "K" Line Total Logistics, LLC (abbreviation: KLTL) to strengthen the group's logistics business. |
| 2002 |
Divested domestic container collection operations and established K Line Japan Co., Ltd. |
| 2003 |
In 2003, "K" Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH was established in Germany, fully privatizing European auto transport services. |
| 2003 |
In 2003, "K" Line Bulk Shipping (UK) Limited was established in London. |
| 2003 |
In 2003, we launched 'K Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH', a fully self-operated European inland transportation service for automobiles in Germany. |
| 2003 |
In 2003, we established 'K Line Bulk Shipping (UK) Limited' in London. |
| 2003 |
Established Germany's "K" Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH and London's "K" Line Bulk Shipping (UK) Limited. |
| 2007 |
In 2007, "K Line Offshore AS" was established in Norway through joint venture, supporting offshore oil drilling equipment and platforms. |
| 2007 |
In 2007, we established 'K Line Offshore AS' in Norway through a joint venture, starting offshore support vessel operations supporting offshore oil drilling equipment and oil production platforms. |
| 2008 |
In 2008, "K" Line (India) Private Limited was established in India, expanding dry bulk transportation business. |
| 2008 |
In 2008, we established 'K Line (India) Private Limited' in India, mainly expanding our business in dry bulk transportation. |
| 2008 |
Established "K" Line (India) Private Limited in India and expanded dry bulk transportation. |
| 2009 |
In 2009, participated in the mining vessel business off the coast of Brazil. |
| 2010 |
Started deploying next-generation car carriers and container ships, and engaged in energy resource transportation and offshore support business. |
| 2015 |
Since 2015, 13 auto carriers with a capacity of 7,500 units have been deployed, and "Drive Green Highway," which incorporates advanced environmental technology, has also started operation. |
| 2015 |
Since 2015, 13 next-generation car carriers with a capacity of 7,500 units have been introduced, with the flagship 'Drive Green Highway' incorporating advanced environmental technologies. Additionally, 10 highly competitive 14,000 TEU container ships have been deployed. |
| 2016 |
Environmental flagship "DRIVE GREEN HIGHWAY" received the "Ship of the Year 2016" award. |
| 2017 |
In 2017, participated in FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) business off the coast of Ghana. |
| 2017 |
In 2017, we participated in FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) operations off the coast of Ghana. |
| 2018 |
Ocean Network Express (ONE) was launched, integrating the three companies' container businesses and overseas container terminal operations. |
| 2019 |
In 2019, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha celebrated its 100th anniversary, setting forth a vision of safe and optimal services, fair business activities, challenges to transformation, and respect for humanity. |
| 2019 |
Celebrated its 100th anniversary, set forth a vision of "safe and optimal service provision," and demonstrated its commitment to a sustainable society and environmental conservation. |
