Samudera Shipping unit, Imoto Corporation enter JV to set up shipping company in Japan

[SINGAPORE] A subsidiary of container shipping group Samudera Shipping – Samudera Japan – and Imoto Corporation have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to establish a new company specialising in shipping activities in Japan.

The company, Blue Ocean Shipping, will be headquartered in Kobe, Japan. It is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2026.

Samudera Japan and Imoto Corporation will hold interests of 51 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively, in the JV.

The new company will begin with the acquisition of two container vessels from Imoto Lines Group as its initial fleet.

A company filing on Tuesday (Dec 16) said that Blue Ocean Shipping, over time, aims to grow its fleet “prudently” to capture “suitable opportunities” in Japan’s coastal and regional shipping services.

Shares of Samudera Shipping closed 1 per cent or S$0.01 down at S$0.96 on Tuesday.