Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) founding chief executive Jeremy Nixon will step down as part of a planned leadership transition, with Till Ole Barrelet set to join the Singapore‑based carrier on May 1 as CEO‑designate before succeeding Nixon on July 1, when Nixon becomes senior advisor.
Since ONE's inception in April 2018, Nixon have led the transformation of legacy Japanese carriers – K Line, MOL, and NYK – into a unified global container shipping company.
Under his stewardship, ONE has established itself as a major player in the container liner shipping industry, operating a fleet of over 260 vessels with capacity exceeding two million TEUs.
Meanwhile, prior to this appointment, Barrelet served as CEO of Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) and brings over 20 years of maritime and logistics experience to the role. He has experience spanning ship owning, financing, container shipping, and trade development across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
New management team
To better position ONE for its next phase of growth, ONE said it will transition to a new Executive Management Team structure comprising the CEO and seven representatives from across all divisions.
The new Executive Management Team, together with a further six regional leaders, will report into the CEO. This expanded leadership structure will facilitate closer collaboration across a global matrix structure at ONE — as part of a planned leadership transition.
"Jeremy's contribution to Ocean Network Express has been extraordinary," said Jotaro Tamura, representative director and chairman of the Board of Directors, Ocean Network Express Holdings Ltd.
"As our founding CEO, Jeremy has helped build ONE from the ground up, establishing our corporate culture and market position. We are deeply grateful for his strong leadership and vision in creating a resilient, financially strong company."
"After a comprehensive search, Till emerged as the clear choice to lead ONE's next chapter. His proven track record, deep industry understanding, and strategic vision align perfectly with ONE's growth ambitions, commitment to operational excellence and customer service," Tamura added.
Nixon, for his part, noted that leading ONE from "day one" has been the "defining chapter" of his career.
"Together with an exceptional team, we have built something truly special. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished – navigating unprecedented challenges, investing in sustainable technology, and building a culture of service excellence. Now is the right time for new leadership, and I am very confident in Till's ability to lead ONE forward."
For his part, Barrelet welcomed his new role as he sees the carrier at a pivotal moment, praising the foundation built under Nixon.
"I am honored to lead Ocean Network Express at this pivotal time. Jeremy has built a formidable legacy with a strong culture, talented team, and solid operational foundation."
"ONE is well-positioned to navigate industry headwinds with an increasingly modern fleet, financial strength, and proven capabilities. I am committed to ONE's service excellence and growth ambitions while driving our strategic priorities of ONE2030 forward," he added.
