Singapore-headquartered container liner major Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced a planned leadership transition that will see Till Ole Barrelet appointed chief executive officer from 1 July 2026.
Barrelet will join ONE on 1 May as CEO-designate, succeeding Jeremy Nixon, who will move into a senior adviser role.
Nixon has led ONE since its launch in April 2018, overseeing the integration of Japan’s three largest shipping lines — K Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and NYK Line — into a single global carrier. Under his tenure, ONE has grown into a top-tier liner operator with a fleet of more than 260 vessels and capacity exceeding 2 million TEU.
Barrelet brings more than 20 years of maritime and logistics experience, most recently serving as CEO of Emirates Shipping Line. His background spans shipowning, financing, container shipping and trade development across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
As part of the transition, ONE will implement a new executive management structure comprising the CEO and seven divisional representatives. A further six regional leaders will also report to the CEO, in a move the company said would enhance collaboration across its global matrix organisation.
“These changes are part of a planned leadership transition. The succession will be seamless, and customers and stakeholders will not be impacted,” the company said.
“Jeremy’s contribution to Ocean Network Express has been extraordinary,” said Jotaro Tamura, Representative Director and Chairman of 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.”
He added that Barrelet emerged as the preferred candidate following a comprehensive search process, citing his industry expertise and strategic alignment with ONE’s growth ambitions.
“Leading ONE from Day One has been the defining chapter of my career,” Nixon said. “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.”
“I am honored to lead Ocean Network Express at this pivotal time,” Barrelet said. “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.”
