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.

Om Podcasten

Maritime Digital Evolution with Chris Aversano Dive deep into the maritime world's digital transformation with Chris Aversano, a seasoned maritime professional with three decades of experience both on shore and at sea. Recognizing that the maritime sector has been one of the last to fully embrace the digital age, Chris delves into the pivotal changes now underway. Join Chris as he engages with the trailblazers, innovators, investors, and thought leaders who are steering the maritime industry into the digital future. Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or someone curious about both realms, this podcast promises insightful discussions and a fresh perspective on the maritime digital frontier. Tune in and embark on a journey to explore the digital waves reshaping the maritime world.