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日本海事新聞ニュース Japan Maritime Daily Jul 24, 2026 (Fri)

Nova Marine seeks to evolve beyond shipping into an integrated business model

With Laura Romeo (second from the right) and Antonello Romeo (third from the right) at the 45th anniversary ceremony in Naples
 Nova Marine Group, a major Italian owner-operator, celebrated its 45th anniversary. Headquartered i ・・・ %E3%80%80Nova+Marine+Group%2C+a+major+Italian+owner-operator%2C+celebrated+its+45th+anniversary.+Headquartered+in+Lugano%2C+Switzerland%2C+the+Group+is+a+unique+industrial+carrier+with+global+operations+and+now+operates+a+diverse+fleet+of+about+100+vessels%2C+ranging+from+5%2C000-DWT+mini-bulkers+to+Kamsarmax%2C+in+addition+to+the+world%E2%80%99s+largest+and+most+advanced+cement+fleet.+We+spoke+with+founder+and+Chairman+Giovanni+Romeo+and+CEO+Vincenzo+Romeo+about+the+Group%E2%80%99s+45-year+journey%2C+its+vision+for+growth%2C+and+its+relationship+of+trust+with+Japan.+%3Cbr%3E%28Interviewer%3A+Azumi+Kashiwai%3B+timeline+on+page+5%29+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+From+Naples+to+the+World+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--How+have+the+Nova+Marine+Group+and+the+Romeo+family+developed+the+shipping+business%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Chairman+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CIn+Monte+di+Procida%2C+near+Naples%2C+the+hometown+of+my+family%2C+the+sea+is+not+merely+a+backdrop%3B+it+is+an+identity%2C+a+culture%2C+and+a+heritage.+My+father+was+a+sailor+and+ran+a+farm+when+he+was+ashore.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CI+first+went+to+sea+at+the+age+of+14%2C+gaining+hands-on+experience+as+a+deckhand+and+learning+much+through+practice%2C+observation%2C+and+anticipation.+In+1977%2C+I+became+a+captain+at+the+age+of+21.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThen%2C+in+1981%2C+I+had+the+opportunity+to+buy+a+small+cargo+ship+and+became+an+independent+shipowner%2C+marking+the+founding+of+the+Nova+Marine+Group.+Looking+at+it+now%2C+it+was+a+very+small+ship%2C+but+at+the+time+it+seemed+larger+to+me+than+an+ocean+liner.+And+that+was+where+the+great+journey+began.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CA+major+turning+point+toward+success+came+about+30+years+ago%2C+when+I+met+Bruno+Bolfo%2C+founder+of+the+Italian+steel+and+energy+giant+Duferco.+Since+the+transaction+involving+our+first+small+vessel%2C+we+have+built+trust+with+nothing+more+than+a+handshake%2C+leading+to+the+development+of+the+group+as+it+stands+today.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CEven+as+we+make+massive+investments+and+pursue+ambitious+goals%2C+our+family+adheres+to+the+family+motto%3A+%E2%80%99It+is+better+to+steadily+build+up+one+dollar+each+day+than+to+earn+10+dollars+tomorrow+and+be+done+with+it.%E2%80%99+We+have+always+sought+to+remain+cautious+and+clear-minded+when+making+strategic+decisions+and+have+valued+discipline+in+execution.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThe+next+generation+has+also+been+involved+in+management+for+many+years.+The+eldest+son%2C+Vincenzo+%28Senior+Executive+Vice+President+of+the+holding+company+and+CEO+of+Nova+Marine+Carriers%29%2C+the+second+son%2C+Antonello+%28Director+of+Chartering%29%2C+and+the+eldest+daughter%2C+Laura+%28Head+of+Finance+and+Administration%29%2C+play+central+roles+in+the+group%E2%80%99s+management+and+lead+employees+with+vision+and+leadership.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+World%E2%80%99s+No.+1+in+cement+vessels+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--Please+tell+us+about+the+group%E2%80%99s+operating+fleet.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Chairman+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CIt+totals+about+100+vessels%2C+including+company-owned+vessels%2C+jointly+owned+vessels+%28joint+ventures%29%2C+chartered+vessels%2C+and+commercially+managed+vessels.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9C%E2%80%99Joint+ventures%E2%80%99+have+been+a+consistent+theme+throughout+my+career+and+the+group%E2%80%99s+expansion+process.+I+believe+they+are+the+best+way+to+bring+together+our+respective+strengths+and+strengthen+our+position.+In+fact%2C+Nova+Marine+itself+is+a+joint+venture+between+the+Romeo+family+and+Duferco%E2%80%99s+Bolfo+and+Gozzi+families.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThrough+a+joint+venture+with+Algoma+Central%2C+a+Canadian+shipping+company+listed+on+the+Toronto+Stock+Exchange%2C+called+%E2%80%99NovaAlgoma+Cement+Carriers+%28NACC%29%2C%E2%80%99+we+operate+the+world%E2%80%99s+largest+fleet+in+the+cement+transportation+business.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CNACC+currently+operates+approximately+30+jointly+owned+vessels+and+approximately+10+vessels+on+long-term+charter%2C+accounting+for+about+20%25+of+the+global+market+share.+It+also+has+joint+ventures+with+local+shipping+companies+in+Norway%2C+Greece%2C+Indonesia%2C+and+elsewhere%2C+and+its+operating+areas+extend+across+North+America+and+the+Caribbean%2C+Northern+Europe%2C+the+Middle+East+and+the+Indian+Ocean%2C+and+Southeast+Asia.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFor+a+newbuilding+program%2C+it+plans+to+complete+three+38%2C000-DWT+methanol+dual-fuel+%28DF%29+cement+carriers+at+Zhejiang+Xinle+Shipbuilding+in+China+in+2027%E2%80%932028.+The+vessels+are+scheduled+to+be+chartered+long-term+to+major+cement+traders+worldwide+and+are+expected+to+become+the+world%E2%80%99s+cleanest+cement+carriers%2C+equipped+with+methanol+DF+main+engines%2C+waste+heat+recovery+systems+from+turbochargers%2C+and+air+lubrication+systems.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Multilayered+growth+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--In+recent+years%2C+you+have+also+focused+on+investing+in+dry+cargo+logistics+and+port+operations.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80CEO+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CIt+is+a+strategic+project+aimed+at+enabling+us+to+provide+a+complete+%E2%80%99door-to-door+service%2C%E2%80%99+rather+than+merely+port-to-port+transportation.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CLast+May%2C+our+group+partnered+with+DP+World%2C+a+major+Dubai-based+group+with+strengths+in+logistics+and+port+infrastructure.+We+are+confident+that+DP+World%E2%80%99s+acquisition+of+a+portion+of+NACC%E2%80%99s+shares+in+January+this+year+will+provide+us+with+access+to+its+global+port+network+and+make+a+significant+contribution+to+the+expansion+of+our+logistics+and+port+businesses.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CLast+year%2C+we+acquired+two+large+bulk+terminals+in+the+Netherlands%2C+while+also+advancing+our+strategic+involvement+in+port+logistics+in+Ravenna%2C+Italy%2C+and+continuing+to+invest+in+a+barge+fleet+on+the+Danube+River.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIn+other+words%2C+Nova+will+move+beyond+the+traditional+concept+of+a+shipping+company+and+gradually+develop+a+more+integrated+business+model.+We+intend+to+achieve+multifaceted+growth+based+on+a+simple+management+philosophy%3A+becoming+closer+to+our+customers%2C+including+shippers%3B+providing+more+timely+services%3B+and+establishing+a+presence+at+every+stage+of+the+logistics+chain.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Strong+Relationships+with+Shippers+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+is+the+basic+philosophy+behind+fleet+operations%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Chairman+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9COur+aim+is+to+build+long-term+relationships+with+industry+partners+and+secure+stable+earnings.+It+is+%E2%80%99shippers%E2%80%99+who+are+always+the+driving+force+behind+our+business.+As+an+industrial+carrier%2C+we+provide+transportation+services+based+on+arrangements+with+shippers%2C+such+as+Contracts+of+Affreightment+%28COAs%29%2C+and+our+major+customers+include+leading+global+cement+and+steel+manufacturers%2C+mineral+traders%2C+energy+and+power+companies%2C+and+agricultural+and+fertilizer+producers.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CCurrently%2C+the+fleet+coverage+rate+under+COAs+has+reached+approximately+80%25.+With+a+diverse+fleet%2C+we+can+provide+flexible+and+reliable+services+and+are+equipped+to+meet+all+customer+needs.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CAs+part+of+our+efforts+to+diversify+our+fleet%2C+we+acquired+a+50%25+stake+in+August+Bolten%2C+a+Handysize+shipowner+based+in+Hamburg%2C+Germany%2C+in+2021.+In+the+coastal+mini-bulker+sector%2C+NovaAlgoma+Short-Sea+Carriers+%28NASC%29%2C+a+joint+venture+%28JV%29+with+Algoma%2C+handles+short-sea+transportation.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+All-weather+terminal+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--In+the+port+and+logistics+sector%2C+you+acquired+a+100%25+stake+in+two+large+bulk+terminals+in+Amsterdam%2C+the+Netherlands%2C+early+last+year.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80CEO+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CThis+M%26A+%28merger+and+acquisition%29+also+includes+Europe%E2%80%99s+only+all-weather+bulk+terminal%2C+which+is+equipped+with+a+roof+and+exterior+walls%2C+three+lift-on%2Flift-off+berths%2C+and+two+open+RoRo+berths%2C+enabling+seamless+cargo+handling+even+in+rainy+weather+while+protecting+cargo+quality.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CIt+also+has+a+dehumidified+warehouse+for+storing+steel+products%2C+providing+optimal+storage+conditions+for+aluminum%2C+zinc%2C+paper%2C+timber%2C+and+pulp.+By+integrating+these+facilities+into+our+Dutch+subsidiary%2C+we+are+strengthening+our+vertical+integration+strategy+and+expanding+our+control+over+the+entire+supply+chain.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Hub+Port+Ravenna+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--You+are+also+increasing+your+presence+in+Italy%E2%80%99s+port+and+logistics+sector.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80CEO+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CWe+are+actively+developing+our+port+operations+and+logistics+capabilities%2C+including+through+strategic+involvement+in+%E2%80%99CILIR%2C%E2%80%99+a+port+and+logistics+consortium+in+Ravenna%2C+northern+Italy%2C+on+the+Adriatic+Sea.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThis+operating+base+in+Ravenna+will+serve+as+a+strategic+hub+in+the+Adriatic+and+Mediterranean+markets%2C+enabling+the+seamless+handling+of+dry+bulk+cargo+while+further+strengthening+the+door-to-door+supply+chain.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThrough+our+long-standing+investments+in+these+terminals%2C+onshore+operations%2C+forwarding+operations%2C+and+a+fleet+of+barges+on+the+Danube+River+that+efficiently+connects+maritime+routes+with+Europe%E2%80%99s+inland+networks%2C+we+aim+to+provide+shippers+with+even+more+comprehensive+services.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Bonds+forged+through+the+earthquake+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--I+would+also+like+to+hear+about+your+history+and+cooperative+relationship+with+Japan.+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Chairman+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CBoth+personally+and+as+a+company%2C+we+have+built+a+very+strong+relationship+of+trust+with+Japan%E2%80%99s+maritime+industry+over+our+45-year+history.+Since+2005%2C+we+have+deepened+our+relationship+with+Yamanishi%2C+a+shipyard+in+Ishinomaki+City%2C+Miyagi+Prefecture.+By+2011%2C+through+the+mediation+of+Sojitz+and+ORIX%2C+we+had+built+a+total+of+10+newbuilds+%2818%2C000%E2%80%9325%2C000+DWT%29.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CThere+is+an+episode+that+symbolizes+our+deep+ties+with+Japan.+During+the+Great+East+Japan+Earthquake+on+March+11%2C+2011%2C+Yamanishi+staff+fleeing+the+tsunami+took+refuge+aboard+our+new+bulk+carrier%2C+%E2%80%99Sider+Joy%2C%E2%80%99+which+was+nearing+completion%2C+and+fortunately%2C+all+were+rescued+safely.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CSharing+this+difficult+experience+created+a+family-like+bond+based+on+sincerity+and+mutual+respect+among+us%2C+Yamanishi%2C+and+Japan.+In+2014%2C+we+placed+an+order+with+Yamanishi%2C+which+was+its+first+newbuild+since+the+earthquake.+At+the+time%2C+the+largest+vessel+the+company+could+build+was+smaller+than+our+optimal+vessel+size%2C+but+we+had+a+strong+desire+to+provide+tangible+support+for+the+company%E2%80%99s+recovery+during+a+difficult+period.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CRecently%2C+we+have+built+fruitful+cooperative+relationships+with+Japanese+shipowners+through+pool+arrangements+and+time+charters+involving+Japanese-built+Handysize%2C+Ultramax%2C+and+Kamsarmax+vessels.+Furthermore%2C+we+have+several+newbuilding+orders+outstanding+at+Japanese+shipyards.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%96%A0+Expanding+Business+in+the+Far+East+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80--What+are+your+plans+for+the+Japanese+market+going+forward%3F+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80Chairman+Romeo%3A+%E2%80%9CHiroyuki+Osone%2C+former+president+of+Sojitz+Marine+%26+Engineering%2C+serves+as+our+representative+in+Japan+and+has+been+a+tremendous+asset.+The+quality+and+performance+of+Japanese+vessels+are+among+the+best+in+the+world%2C+and+we+place+an+extremely+high+value+on+them+in+our+investment+decisions.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CFor+Japan-related+cargoes%2C+we+handle+the+transportation+of+coal+ash+and+cement+for+power+companies+and+cement+companies.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+aim+to+expand+our+business+in+the+Pacific+and+Far+East+as+a+pillar+of+our+growth+strategy.+In+fact%2C+we+are+considering+opening+offices+in+Singapore+and+Tokyo.+In+particular%2C+we+aim+to+further+deepen+our+cooperation+with+Japanese+shipowners%2C+expand+our+fleet+of+Handysize%2C+Ultramax%2C+and+Kamsarmax+vessels+through+short-%2C+medium-%2C+and+long-term+charter+contracts%2C+and+smoothly+execute+COAs.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E%E3%80%80%E2%80%9CWe+sincerely+hope+for+the+further+development+of+Japan%E2%80%99s+maritime+industry.+We+want+Nova+Marine+to+be+an+organization+that+can+contribute+to+its+development.+We+are+prepared+to+invest+in+every+way%2C+including+placing+orders+with+shipyards%2C+purchasing+secondhand+Japanese-built+vessels%2C+and+chartering+vessels+from+Japanese+shipowners.+We+would+also+very+much+welcome+joint+ventures+with+Japanese+shipowners.%E2%80%9C+%3Cbr%3E+%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDisclaimer%3A+The+English+translations+provided+through+this+service+are+the+result+of+translations+made+by+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+or+automatically+and+mechanically+translated+by+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+using+an+automated+translation+system+provided+by+a+third+party+after+certain+processing+of+the+Japanese+content+licensed+by+the+third+party.+In+terms+of+the+English+translation%2C+The+Japan+Maritime+Daily+and+MarineNet+Co.%2C+Ltd.+make+no+warranty+or+burden+of+any+kind%2C+express+or+implied%2C+including+its+accuracy%2C+reliability%2C+validity+or+fitness+for+a+particular+purpose.+MarineNet+Users+should+fully+understand+that+this+service+uses+an+automated+translation+system+that+automatically+and+mechanically+recognizes+and+analyzes+information+and+produces+results.+The+users+should+understand+the+above+conditions+before+using+this+service.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E5%85%8D%E8%B2%AC%E4%BA%8B%E9%A0%85%EF%BC%9A%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B9%E3%82%92%E4%BB%8B%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E6%8F%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%82%8B%E8%8B%B1%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E3%81%8C%E4%BD%9C%E6%88%90%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%80%81%E5%8F%88%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E8%80%85%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E4%BD%BF%E7%94%A8%E8%A8%B1%E8%AB%BE%E3%82%92%E5%8F%97%E3%81%91%E3%81%9F%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%86%E3%83%B3%E3%83%84%E3%82%92%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E3%81%8C%E4%B8%80%E5%AE%9A%E3%81%AE%E5%87%A6%E7%90%86%E3%82%92%E8%A1%8C%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%A7%E3%80%81%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E8%80%85%E3%81%8C%E6%8F%90%E4%BE%9B%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E3%82%92%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E8%87%AA%E5%8B%95%E7%9A%84%E3%83%BB%E6%A9%9F%E6%A2%B0%E7%9A%84%E3%81%AB%E7%BF%BB%E8%A8%B3%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E7%B5%90%E6%9E%9C%E3%81%A7%E3%81%82%E3%82%8A%E3%80%81%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%8B%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