On Oct.7 I attended COA meeting held in Hamburg and joined the Intermodal Europe 2013 on Oct. 8 & 9. This is the 3rd times to join the Intermodal Show in Europe on end. It appears the same but the companies of the topic this year seem to have been popular. Major leasing companies could take the big space there to show off their power as usual. Refrigerant makers are one of the leading roles this year. Thermo King which we act as the agent in Japan also occupied the large space of booth. Thermo King is popular with Magnum Plus which is able to quickly pull down the temperature and maintain minus 40 degree C which is different from other 3 unit makers. The news that Denso will entry into the marine Reefer Container in partnership with CIMC, Chinese container maker was reported at the end of Sep. They seemed to plan to have the booth there but cancelled it suddenly. Therefore, its space was used for a resting place. Their cooling unit is used with the same refrigerant (R404a) as Thermo King. It was a pity that we could not see it. Daikin, only one active Japanese unit maker also is well known among people. They were offering people Sushi for lunch. I also enjoyed Sushi there after greeting Japanese staff of Daikin coming from Tokyo. I believe that Reefer Containers demand will be stronger in the future so that each unit maker should expand Reefer market through friendly competition. We would like continuously help digging up a 2nd hand Reefer demand in the market to find home for the retiring old Reefer Containers.
On the other hand, the various companies try to introduce their own products and make sale promotion in Intermodal Show like container makers, container part makers have been approaching to shipping companies and leasing companies. It could be understandable that the booths of leasing companies have been busy with such people.
I stared my eyes open at many eco-products and machines aiming at saving energy which many European companies have been specializing at. Their target customers were mainly shipping lines so that people of shipping lines were welcomed and approached by them. Shipping lines’ people also looked enjoying at talking with them.
It was quite hard for Mr. Nam, President of Future Box Corporation to set up the meeting time in advance so that he just confirmed to have a chat with them there when they were available. However, we could finally meet all people of Maersk Line, CMA-CGM, Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd. If it were with Japanese shipping lines it would be very difficult. It was useful for me to know that they showed their strong interest in Hybrid Open Top, Sliding Door Containers. I was so impressed by their modest and no arrogant attitude. I liked the way the person of Maersk talked, who is No. 1 shipping line with 16% share of the number of containerships in the world.
The profit of Maersk Line’s Liner business was US$439 million in 2nd quarter of 2013. Most market analysts predicted them to decrease in profit. What did contribute for it? Fuel saving? Cost cut by Mega-ships? There were people who made it in front of me. During talking with them they have been confident of themselves as the market leader and have taken an action based on the certain future vision, which I was moved very much. I am positive that they will get the clear picture of the world after putting their 18,000teu mega-containerships into the market. Being with them would encourage me a lot. It is Intermodal Show that is the place.
There seems to be less than 600,000teu in China factory. 20f price is around $2,100, the same as the last month. Leasing companies have over 90% in the utilization ratio and have continuously kept buying containers for speculation. They seem to have been co-sharing shipping lines’ prediction.
We, EF International increased the capital to 10 million Yen in Sep. It is 3.5 years since its establishment. It is because we would like to respond more to our customers’ request and show our commitment in our business. There are many young baseball players who are expected to be promising professional baseball players. However, there are a few players to achieve great record in the history. A talented people are not always successful. I am not talented. I started this business pushed by somebody and I have still felt pushed by somebody on the back. I am thinking how far I could come. I met right people in need and they have been supporting me as staff indeed. I just play the role of directing the stream of business.
It was true that EFI has been supported by friends of not only Japanese but also overseas. It is due to precious experience with Triton over 26 years and the network of human relationships. I believe that I retired and set up the company in right time. I could not do the same as now even if I set up a bit younger or older. I trust it to luck. However, many good lucks have ensured me more solid commitment in my mind that made me tougher. I wish staff happy to work for EFI. I wish our customers appreciate us as a good partner. I wish EFI give more power to the world.