NYK Line held a roundtable between its president and ship captains and chief engineers at its head office, where management and frontline personnel exchanged views directly on issues and challenges in the field. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the use of AI and DX, training and development, cybersecurity measures, and responses to weather and regional conditions.
On 27 October, NYK Line held its “President–Captain and Chief Engineer Roundtable” at its head office in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, bringing together the president, directors, captains and chief engineers to discuss the current situation and issues. The roundtable is held annually as part of the company’s safety campaign, with the aim of ensuring safe operations through an exchange of views between management and frontline personnel.
The purpose of the roundtable is to reduce the psychological distance between management and frontline personnel and foster a workplace environment where frontline personnel can more readily express their views, thereby improving the effectiveness of safety activities. It also provides an opportunity for the president and directors to engage directly with frontline personnel from the perspective of the Safety and Environmental Measures Promotion Committee.
In addition to the captains and chief engineers, participants joined online from the underway car carrier DAISY LEADER. Active discussions addressed issues including the use of AI and DX on board, the development of maritime professionals, cybersecurity, responses to extreme weather, and changes in regional conditions.
When President Soga (曽我) asked about taking on new technologies and new businesses, the captains and chief engineers expressed the view that pursuing such challenges while making safety the prerequisite would help raise the motivation of maritime professionals. The company indicated its policy of continuing dialogue between management and frontline personnel while working toward stable operations and new challenges.