Ocean Network Express
Japanese container shipping company formed by the combination of the container businesses of NYK, MOL, and K Line.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Ocean Network Express, commonly known as ONE, is a Japanese container transportation and shipping company established by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line). The joint venture was created in 2016 and began commercial trading in April 2018 after a period of corporate and sales preparation that started in October 2017. It was formed during a difficult period for the container-shipping industry, when weak profitability, excess vessel capacity, and intense competition were encouraging consolidation among major carriers. ONE combined the container-shipping operations of its three parent companies and initially became one of the world's largest liner operators, with a fleet inherited from the parents of approximately 240 container vessels and combined capacity of about 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). NYK holds the largest ownership stake at 38%, while MOL and K Line each hold 31%. The company operates internationally through a Japanese representative headquarters, a Singapore-based business operations headquarters, regional offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, and Brazil, and a broad network of local offices. The brand is distinguished by a vivid magenta visual identity applied to its ships, containers, and customer-facing materials. The color was associated with Japan's cherry blossoms and was intended to create a highly recognizable presence in a sector where vessels and equipment traditionally use more subdued corporate colors. Newly delivered ships received the livery, while many inherited vessels were progressively repainted. Refrigerated containers use a contrasting color treatment. ONE provides scheduled liner services connecting major ports across Asia, Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Its services include ocean transportation of standard dry containers, refrigerated cargo, special equipment, and other containerized freight. The company also participates in vessel-sharing and network alliances designed to broaden port coverage, improve sailing frequency, and make more efficient use of fleet capacity. It was a member of THE Alliance alongside Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, and Yang Ming; from March 2025, the relevant cooperation was reorganized as the Premier Alliance, with Hapag-Lloyd no longer included in that grouping. Fleet development has been a central part of ONE's post-formation strategy. The company inherited large vessels and newbuilding commitments from its parent companies, including ships in the approximately 14,000-TEU and 20,000-TEU classes. It also expanded its refrigerated-container resources, ordering more than 14,000 reefer containers in 2018. In parallel, ONE has pursued operational quality and environmental initiatives. It was added to ClassNK's ISO 9001 certification registry in 2021 and created a Green Strategy Department to coordinate sustainability work, including alternative-fuel and biofuel trials. The company has also experienced the operational risks inherent in global container shipping. In November 2020, the vessel ONE Apus lost a large number of containers during severe weather on a voyage from China to the United States, including containers carrying dangerous goods. The incident required extensive recovery and removal work after the vessel reached Japan. Despite such setbacks, ONE remains an active global liner carrier and a major participant in international maritime logistics.
History
Ocean Network Express was created in 2016 by three major Japanese shipping companies: Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha. The venture responded to structural pressure in container shipping, including excess capacity, depressed profitability, and the need for carriers to achieve greater scale. Rather than operating three separate container divisions, the parents combined those activities in a new company. Ownership was allocated 38% to NYK and 31% each to MOL and K Line. The new business began corporate and sales activities in October 2017 and started commercial operations in April 2018. Its launch brought together the parent companies' vessels, personnel, services, customer relationships, and port networks. At formation, the resulting fleet included approximately 240 container ships with aggregate capacity of about 1.4 million TEU. The combination made ONE one of the largest global liner operators at the time and gave it a stronger position in major east-west and regional trade lanes. ONE used a highly distinctive launch strategy. Its vessels and containers were progressively given a bright magenta livery associated with Japan's cherry blossoms. The identity was intended to distinguish the new company from its parent brands and to make ONE equipment immediately recognizable in ports and on shipping routes. The first vessels to receive the new appearance included ONE Minato, ONE Commitment, ONE Stork, and ONE Competence. Many ships inherited from NYK, MOL, and K Line were subsequently repainted, while the company also received newly built large container ships ordered through the parent companies. The company developed an international organizational structure. Japan remained its representative headquarters location, Singapore served as the business operations headquarters, and regional headquarters were established in the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, and Brazil. Local offices extended the network to numerous countries. Operationally, ONE relied both on its own fleet and on cooperation with other carriers. It became a participant in THE Alliance with Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, and Yang Ming, a cooperation designed to provide wider port coverage and coordinated scheduled services. In March 2025, the cooperation transitioned to the Premier Alliance, with Hapag-Lloyd excluded from the new configuration. Fleet modernization was another early priority. ONE inherited large vessels and newbuilding orders from its parent companies, including ships in the 14,000-TEU class and vessels approaching 20,000 TEU. These ships supported high-volume routes and helped the company compete with other major liner groups. The carrier also ordered more than 14,000 refrigerated containers in 2018, strengthening its capacity for food, pharmaceutical, and other temperature-sensitive cargo. ONE's growth has occurred alongside the safety, environmental, and operational challenges of maritime transport. In November 2020, ONE Apus encountered severe weather on a voyage from Yantian to Long Beach and lost an estimated 1,816 containers overboard. Among the lost units were containers carrying dangerous goods. Once the ship reached Kobe, Japan, removing and dealing with collapsed containers took several months. The event highlighted the risks associated with weather, cargo securing, and ultra-large container operations. The company subsequently formalized aspects of quality and environmental management. In 2021, it was added to ClassNK's ISO 9001 certification registry. It also established a Green Strategy Department to coordinate sustainability projects, including a biofuel trial involving the MOL Experience. These activities reflected the wider shipping industry's movement toward lower-carbon fuels and more systematic environmental governance. ONE continues to operate as an active international container carrier. Its business combines scheduled ocean transport, refrigerated and special-container capabilities, fleet and equipment management, terminal cooperation, and alliance-based network planning. The company has also pursued commercial collaboration, including an announced 2025 cooperation with LX Pantos for the American market. A leadership transition announced for 2026 placed Till Ole Barrelet in the chief executive role after Jeremy Nixon's tenure, with Nixon moving to a senior advisory position.
- 2026
Chief executive succession
[1]Till Ole Barrelet was announced as successor to Jeremy Nixon, who moved to a senior advisory role.
- 2025
Premier Alliance begins
[1]The former THE Alliance cooperation was replaced by the Premier Alliance, retaining ONE, HMM, and Yang Ming while excluding Hapag-Lloyd.
- 2021
ISO 9001 registry recognition
[1]ONE was added to ClassNK's ISO 9001 certification registry.
- 2021
Green Strategy Department formed
[1]ONE created a dedicated department for environmental sustainability projects and alternative-fuel initiatives.
- 2020
ONE Apus container-loss incident
[1]ONE Apus lost an estimated 1,816 containers during severe weather in the Pacific voyage from China to the United States.
- 2018
Commercial operations commence
[1]ONE began trading commercially in April after integrating the container businesses of its three Japanese parent companies.
- 2018
First magenta-branded vessels enter service
[1]The company introduced its signature magenta livery across newly launched and inherited ships.
- 2018
Refrigerated-container expansion
[1]ONE ordered more than 14,000 refrigerated containers to expand temperature-controlled cargo capability.
- 2018
Singapore terminal cooperation agreed
[1]ONE and PSA International agreed to form a joint venture for container operations at Pasir Panjang Terminal.
- 2017
Corporate and sales activities begin
[1]ONE began preparatory corporate and sales activities ahead of its commercial launch.
Products and positioning
A global container liner positioned around broad international coverage, a distinctive Japanese-inspired magenta brand identity, large-vessel operating capability, alliance connectivity, and increasingly visible environmental and operational-quality initiatives.
Ocean freight · 2018
Dry container liner services
ONE's core offering is scheduled transportation of standard dry containers on international liner routes. The network links manufacturing, consumer, commodities, and distribution markets through major ports in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Services are supported by the company's fleet and by vessel-sharing arrangements with alliance partners.
Temperature-controlled logistics · 2018
Refrigerated container services
ONE transports temperature-sensitive cargo using refrigerated containers, commonly known as reefers. The equipment supports international movement of food, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other cargo requiring controlled conditions. The company expanded its reefer resources through a 2018 order for more than 14,000 refrigerated containers.
Specialized ocean freight · 2018
Special container and project cargo services
The carrier's equipment and service portfolio includes specialized containerized transport for cargo that cannot be handled efficiently in standard dry boxes. This can include oversized, heavy, temperature-sensitive, or otherwise operationally complex shipments, subject to route, equipment, and port availability.
Liner network cooperation · 2018
Alliance network services
Through carrier alliances, ONE offers customers access to a broader schedule and port network than its standalone fleet could provide. ONE participated in THE Alliance and, from March 2025, the Premier Alliance, cooperating with selected Asian and international liner companies on coordinated services.
Controversies
2020
ONE Apus container-loss incident
During severe weather on a voyage from Yantian, China, to Long Beach, United States, ONE Apus lost an estimated 1,816 containers overboard. The lost units reportedly included 64 containers containing dangerous goods. The vessel reached Kobe, Japan, where extensive work to remove collapsed containers continued for approximately three months.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Magenta fleet and equipment identity
Global
ONE introduced a global visual identity based on a vivid magenta color applied to ships, containers, and related brand touchpoints. The concept drew on Japan's cherry blossoms and was intended to create a distinctive, easily recognizable presence in ports and on ocean routes.
Outcome. The magenta livery became the defining visual feature of the ONE brand and was progressively applied to newly launched and inherited vessels.
Brand decisions
2025
Transition from THE Alliance to the Premier AllianceStrategyBackground
Global liner alliances periodically change their membership and structure to adjust network coverage and competitive positioning.
Action taken
From March 2025, ONE continued alliance cooperation through the Premier Alliance with HMM and Yang Ming, while Hapag-Lloyd was no longer part of the group.
Aftermath
The reconfigured alliance preserved coordinated network cooperation among the remaining members while changing the participating carrier mix.
2021
Create a Green Strategy DepartmentStrategyBackground
Shipping companies face increasing pressure to reduce emissions and develop lower-carbon propulsion and fuel solutions.
Action taken
ONE established a dedicated Green Strategy Department and connected its work with environmental projects such as biofuel trials.
Aftermath
Environmental sustainability became more explicitly represented in ONE's organizational structure and strategic activities.
2018
Adopt a unified magenta brand identityStrategyBackground
The newly formed carrier needed a distinct identity separate from the established NYK, MOL, and K Line brands.
Action taken
ONE selected a bright magenta livery for newly launched vessels, containers, and progressively repainted inherited ships.
Aftermath
The color scheme became one of the most recognizable elements of the company's global brand.
2018
Expand refrigerated-container capacityStrategyBackground
Temperature-controlled cargo represents an important segment of international containerized trade.
Action taken
ONE ordered more than 14,000 refrigerated containers.
Aftermath
The order increased the carrier's equipment base for reefer cargo and broadened its ability to serve temperature-sensitive supply chains.
2018
Agree on a terminal joint venture with PSA InternationalM&ABackground
Terminal access and coordinated port operations are strategically important to a global liner carrier.
Action taken
ONE and PSA International agreed to establish a joint venture for container operations at Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore.
Aftermath
The agreement strengthened ONE's operational connection with a major Asian transshipment hub.
2016
Combine three Japanese container-shipping businessesStrategyBackground
The container-shipping sector was experiencing weak profitability, surplus capacity, and growing pressure for consolidation and scale.
Action taken
NYK, MOL, and K Line established ONE and transferred their container-shipping operations into the joint venture.
Aftermath
The combination created a major international liner carrier with a substantially larger fleet and network than any of the three parent companies' separate container divisions.
Recent events
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