Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (TYO:9101) (NYK Line) is weighing an expansion of its tanker fleet as energy flows gradually shift away from the Middle East toward longer-haul routes, Nikkei reported Wednesday.
CEO Takaya Soga said oil import patterns are being reassessed across the industry as geopolitical tensions expose risks tied to heavy reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. He said the shift in sourcing is likely to persist even if shipping routes through the region stabilize, according to the report.
A move toward crude supplies from regions such as the United States and Africa would lengthen transport distances, increasing demand for very large crude carriers. NYK Line is considering adding such vessels to its fleet to capture the expected rise in shipping volumes, the report said.
The company said earlier this week it expects a decline in annual profit, assuming disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue into mid-year. Soga said prolonged blockage of the key shipping route would have wider global consequences, warning that an extended disruption could strain the world economy, according to the report.
Beyond crude oil logistics, NYK Line expects companies across manufacturing and trade to increase inventories and diversify supply chains, reducing dependence on single transit routes, the report said.
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