Focused in providing a local solution for shipowners with their ballast water management system (BWMS) regulatory challenges, Ecochlor is proud to announce Asao Shirai will be leading the new office in Japan as Regional Business Development Manager. Mr. Shirai has a 35-year proven record of facilitating long-term business relationships with the most prestigious shipowners in Japan. Through his experience he has accumulated great respect from shipping executives at NYK Line, Mitsui OSK Lines, Kawasaki Kisen, JX Ocean, Kumiai Senpaku, Yamamaru Kisen ─ and he has built up a substantial network of leaders within the industry.
Mr. Shirai is pleased to represent the Ecochlor BWMS in Japan and stated, “as an investment toward compliance, shipowners here are looking for a company that they can trust in delivering a reliable treatment system; Ecochlor’s 95% record of operable systems worldwide will give them that assurance. Additionally, they will welcome the opportunity to outfit their ships with a BWMS that they know will be serviced twice a year whilst the Ecochlor Service Technicians are on board during chemical resupply. This is the superior support they will receive from Ecochlor and I am deeply honored to be an integral part of the Team.”
As one of the three top-leading countries in the shipping industry, Japan has fleets that contain some of the highest carrying capacities in the world, making it an important market for the Ecochlor. The Ecochlor BWMS is known for its great benefits and cost advantages with vessels that have very high ballast flow rates.
Andrew Marshall, Ecochlor’s Vice President of Business Development recognized, “Japan is a key strategic location for Ecochlor and we are pleased to have someone of Mr. Shirai’s background and experience working with us. As our new Regional Sales Manager, he will help increase our coverage in Japan by providing the best technical information and logistical solutions to shipowners and managers. Mr. Shirai exemplifies the core values of our company and the future that we are building for our customers in this region.”