Episode 112: Balancing Tradition & Innovation – Kenji Togasaki of IINO Lines

Embracing Innovation While Honoring Tradition: Kenji Togasaki of IINO Lines Guest: Kenji Togasaki, Senior Vice President at IINO Lines Episode Overview: Chris speaks with Kenji Togasaki about how IINO Lines—a storied, publicly traded Japanese shipping company—balances operational excellence with forward-looking innovation. They explore IINO’s venture investments, focus on digitalization, decarbonization, and the promise of autonomous shipping while navigating the realities of a legacy shipping environment. Key Points: Kenji’s Maritime Journey: From chemical tanker chartering across Asia and the US to CPA-backed strategy roles, Kenji shares his pathway to leading IINO’s innovation initiatives. COVID Spark to Innovation: How IINO began structured innovation during COVID, moving the company’s mindset toward technology adoption. Investing to Learn: IINO’s strategy of investing in TMV (US), The Dock (Israel), and Motion Ventures (Singapore) to map the maritime startup landscape before moving to direct investments. Focus on Decarbonization, Autonomy, Digitalization: Why these areas are critical for long-term compliance and competitiveness. The Importance of Hardware: Why emissions reductions require physical technologies like wind propulsion alongside digital tools. Collaboration Across the Industry: How collaboration with charters, peers, and startups drives meaningful change. Building Internal Digital Literacy: Using internal newsletters and digital tools to raise innovation literacy within IINO’s conservative culture. Learn More: For more on how data-driven strategies are transforming maritime operations, revisit Episode 70 with Jeff Wakker of Viterra Chartering. 🎧 Listen Now: 🔹 Apple Podcasts 🔹 Spotify 🔹 YouTube Music by: Peg and The Rejected 'King of SKA' Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast: If you find value in these conversations, please rate us 5-stars, follow, and share with a colleague. You can also support The Last Dinosaur on Buy Me a Coffee to help us continue bringing you top maritime leaders. We are proud to be a media sponsor of London International Shipping Week 2025.