Logistics is an indispensable social system that supports our daily lives. At the same time, the logistics industry faces various challenges, such as labor shortages driven by declining birth rates. In response, NYK has launched the “KANDO — Innovation through Logistics” project to answer the pressing question: “What actions should we take today to secure a bright future in logistics?”

Do you think that having goods transported and delivered to your hands is an ordinary part of daily life? In fact, this “ordinary” in logistics is only made possible by the dedicated individuals working in the industry. This project aims to address current issues and discover innovative solutions to ensure that the logistics system continues to thrive and support society in the years to come.

“The shipping industry plays a vital role in transporting essential goods across oceans, supporting our daily lives with sense of purpose and pride. However, because consumers rarely see our work, social recognition is low, and our work tends to be underappreciated.”

So says Daisuke Nakagawa (Offshore Business Group, NYK), one of the project’s members.

“One approach to addressing this issue is to enhance the value of logistics itself within society. That said, traditional value aspects such as speed, cost, and safety are already close to saturation. Our project aims to pioneer a new kind of value in logistics. It’s an initiative to establish fresh value standards and spread them throughout society.”

Now that logistics has thoroughly pursued existing value, creating new value is a challenging and elusive endeavor — like groping in the dark for something shapeless. To uncover fresh perspectives, the project team has partnered with several universities for joint research.

One of the original project members, Motofumi Suzuki Marine Group No.1, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd.), recalls:

“Initially, our joint research was purely exploratory — we reached out to universities almost as if making cold calls. One of them was Tama Art University. Our first request was simple yet imaginative: ‘Could you paint a picture using the entire ship as a canvas?’ It was a simple idea given the artistic expertise of the art school.”

Simple as it may sound, this shows how much the team was groping for ideas at the time.

“The exchanges with professors and students were stimulating, and their fresh perspectives surprised us. For instance, they approached even something as simple as a business card holder by delving deeply into its essence: Is it merely for holding cards? What should a cardholder ideally be? Why does it exist in the first place? They deconstructed each function and redefined its purpose.”

These new insights became the trigger for the next phase of our joint research.

In 2023, a collaborative project between Tama Art University and NYK finally began in earnest. The first step was a project to design a prototype uniform for seafarers. The project was embedded into Tama Art University’s curriculum and developed as a year-long program.

Takahiro Ueda (Marine Group, NYK), who also works on board as an engineer, explained the aim: “I personally feel proud that logistics supports the lives of many people in Japan, and I’ve worked hard on-site. However, our work is difficult for customers to realize, making it challenging to maintain motivation. As an engineer, I often work in the engine room, where summer temperatures exceed 40℃ — a harsh environment indeed! If we could provide workwear with high functionality and comfort, it could improve the quality of onboard work and life. Innovative, fashionable designs could create moments of pride among workers.”

The uniform design research also emphasized circularity — ensuring long-lasting use and facilitating resource reuse after disposal.

“We’re even exploring future sales, considering not only new items but also the repurposing of fabrics that have acquired a distinctive ‘texture’ from prolonged use on board into unique fashion pieces. Revenue from sales could help cover production and supply costs or enhance onboard environments.”

Uniforms crafted to balance aesthetic appeal with resource and cost circularity effectively address the sustainability challenge.

“Seafarers rarely get public attention. But creating uniforms can draw interest and raise social recognition of logistics. Personally, I’d be thrilled if kids saw seafarers in cool uniforms and thought, ‘I want to be a seafarer someday!’”

Following our uniform initiative, a new project titled “Cozy・Comfy — Joy in Work and Life” has been launched to create a more comfortable and enriched onboard living experience.

“We are currently researching ways to enhance comfort and convenience in onboard living spaces and to expand recreational opportunities. Students have proposed a variety of ideas, complete with prototypes. For example, a proposal introduces a safety hat specifically designed for off-duty hours on board. Given the low ceilings and the protruding pipes and waterproof walls, head protection is essential. The proposed hat combines robust protection with lightweight, comfortable wear, while also reflecting the identity of seafarers.

Another innovative idea involves miniaturizing salt crystals obtained from seas at various ports of call — to be given as souvenirs to customers. While salt is typically a nuisance on board, its crystal formations vary by region. This idea was born from reverse thinking.”

Similar to our uniform initiative, these projects aim to simplify onboard work and life while giving seafarers even more reasons to take pride in their roles. (Nakagawa)

Joint research with Tama Art University is followed by co-creation projects pursuing technology through collaboration with companies from other industries.

“We’re conducting tests of T-shirts that outperform other products in absorbency, quick-drying, and deodorizing functions. This collaboration was realized through a meeting with Moonrakers Technologies, Inc. (Moonrakers), a fashion venture of Toray Industries. The moment I first wore the T-shirt, I thought, ‘This works!’ Its design minimizes discomfort from sweat while the quick-dry and deodorizing functions suit onboard laundry conditions. Seafarers who tried the product rated it highly, and we’re excited to further customize it for onboard comfort — with Moonrakers making it possible. We look forward to delivering these co-developed products to more seafarers and bringing them added comfort and satisfaction.” (Ueda)

Using “MOON-TECH^®” material — jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Toray for extreme environments like space and equipped with 12 advanced functions — these “evolved clothes” leverage cutting-edge Japanese technology to deliver exceptional comfort even in engine rooms that reach 50℃ (122°F), where sweat never stops, and on ships where laundry cannot be dried outdoors.

“By incorporating external perspectives, fresh ideas we never imagined are emerging one after another. Ultimately, it’s all about visualizing logistics and creating mechanisms for people to appreciate its value. That is the essence of the KANDO project.” (Suzuki)

When exploring new business ideas, we prioritized two key aspects:
1.Sharing and discussing as many ideas as possible
2.Connecting with other industries and examining success stories
This approach led us to meet Moonrakers, who shared our vision. Through partnerships with business allies, the project has now reached the proof-of-concept stage. Our goal is to develop this initiative into a long-term venture that capitalizes on new opportunities while addressing social challenges. (Tsuji)

KANDO Logistics project members

(Left) Motofumi Suzuki
Marine Group No.1, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd.
One of the few land-based employees in a department full of marine engineers. Handles budget control and docking selection with a calculator in hand. Immersed in the world of ships while on land. Previously worked in HR and general affairs.

(Center Left) Daisuke Nakagawa
Offshore Business Group, NYK
After working in the Car Carrier and LNG groups and completing overseas assignments, joined the current department in October 2021. Mainly engaged in shuttle tanker and CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage)/Liquefied CO2 Carrier business activities, aiming to contribute to a net-zero society across the energy business value chain. Finds the department appealing for offering opportunities to both “deepen existing businesses” and “create new ones” under the medium-term management plan.

(Center Right) Kaoru Tsuji
Corporate Branding Team, Corporate Sustainability Group, Yusen Logistics Global Management Co., Ltd.
Has worked in logistics sales domestically and internationally, facing customer needs on the front lines. During COVID-19, focused on maintaining logistics and ensuring supply chain continuity through BCP, leveraging the NYK Group’s comprehensive strength. Has been responsible for handling brand strategy alongside a diverse, multinational team since joining the current department in April as part of YLGM’s establishment.

(Right) Takahiro Ueda
Chief Engineer, Maritime New Business Extensive Support Team, Marine Group, NYK
Spent about three years aboard various vessels — including container ships — followed by a year ashore, then five years primarily on car carriers and LNG ships, before returning to sea after another land assignment. Constantly moving between sea and land.

The “KANDO – Innovation through Logistics” project was born out of NYK’s in-house training program, the NYK Digital Academy. The academy is designed to cultivate innovative thinking methods leading to logistics innovation and foster talent with a mindset to challenge new businesses aligned with social trends. Some projects from the academy have already started moving toward commercialization.
https://www.nyk.com/english/stories/04/02/20250716.html

As highlighted in the member introductions, each team member continues to excel in their primary job while also contributing to the KANDO Logistics new business venture. They leverage their experience from their main roles in the new project and feed discoveries back into their primary work — creating synergy that doubles the impact! Their collaborative efforts to build a better future for logistics will continue. Please look forward to future developments.