News / Jeremy Nixon steps down from leadership role at ONE

Jeremy Nixon MD ONE

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has unveiled a significant leadership transition that will see founding CEO Jeremy Nixon step down this year – although the reasons for his departure remain unclear.

The Singapore-headquartered container line announced that Till Ole Barrelet will join the company on 1 May as CEO-designate, succeeding Mr Nixon on 1 July. He will move into a “senior advisor” role.

ONE described the move as part of a planned succession process, and stressed that the transition would be seamless, with no impact on customers or stakeholders. However, the company did not elaborate on why Mr Nixon is stepping aside after eight years.

Mr Nixon has led ONE since its formation in April 2018, when Japan’s K Line, MOL and NYK combined their container shipping businesses to create the single global carrier. Under his leadership, ONE has grown into one of the world’s largest liner operators, with a fleet of more than 260 vessels and capacity exceeding 2m teu.

The carrier navigated the pandemic, record freight rates, and subsequent market normalisation during his tenure, emerging as a financially robust player.

Chairman Jotaro Tamura paid tribute to Mr Nixon’s “extraordinary” contribution, crediting him with building the company “from the ground up” and establishing its corporate culture and market position.

Successor Mr Barrelet brings more than two decades of maritime and logistics experience. Most recently CEO of Emirates Shipping Line, he has held senior roles spanning shipowning, financing, and trade development across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Mr Tamura said a comprehensive search identified him as the “clear choice”.

The leadership change comes alongside a restructuring of ONE’s executive management team, which will comprise the CEO and seven divisional representatives, supported by six regional leaders – a move designed to strengthen collaboration across its global matrix organisation.

Mr Nixon said “leading ONE from day one” had been the defining chapter of his career and that “now is the right time for new leadership”. Mr Barrelet described the appointment as an honour and pledged to drive forward the carrier’s ONE2030 strategy.

Despite the assurances of continuity, the absence of a clear explanation for Mr Nixon’s exit is likely to prompt industry speculation at a time when liner shipping faces renewed market and geopolitical headwinds.

He is scheduled to make a headline appearance at TPM26 next week for a CEO Series conversation on stage, where he may reveal more details surrounding his departure.