Ngày 19/07/2025

On July 17, Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen (NYK Line) announced it will acquire Movianto International, a Dutch company specializing in healthcare-related logistics services, for approximately 1.25 billion euros (1.45 billion USD).

With this deal, NYK Line hopes to diversify its revenue sources, as the shipping industry is highly sensitive to changes in the global economy.

The Japanese container ship NYK Antares operated by shipping company Nippon Yusen. Illustration photo: REUTERS

NYK’s European unit, Yusen Logistics, will acquire 100% of Movianto’s shares from its parent company, Walden Group International. The deal is expected to close by December 2025, pending approval from European regulators.

Founded in 2006, Movianto specializes in temperature-controlled transportation and logistics for medical supplies and equipment. It currently operates 138 facilities across 12 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany. The company recorded revenue of approximately 790 million euros in the fiscal year 2024.

NYK’s current four-year business plan, which runs through fiscal 2026, identifies non-marine logistics as a core investment area, allocating 1.4 trillion yen (USD 9.4 billion) for investments. The group acquired a UK-based e-commerce delivery platform in February 2024 and a Dutch auto parts delivery company in April 2025.

Recently, NYK has benefited from robust shipping demand and persistently high freight rates. The company’s revenue rose 8% to 2.59 trillion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2025, while net profit surged 110% to 477.7 billion yen.

However, the shipping industry remains highly vulnerable to fluctuations in the global economy and geopolitical risks. Amid the Biden administration’s imposition of new tariffs on multiple countries and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere, concerns over a looming global economic downturn are spreading. Other shipping companies are also diversifying their businesses, including Mitsui OSK Lines, which has moved into real estate.