Tokyo-based Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) and Dubai-headquartered Sharaf Group have established a new company called K Line Shipping & Logistics L.L.C (KLSL) in Dubai, UAE, the first time any Japanese shipping company formed a joint venture in the Middle East, ”K” Line said in a statement.

KLSL will conduct businesses in the fields of marine transportation, logistics, land transportation, air cargo transportation, warehousing and supply chain solutions.

The company will aim to develop new businesses actively through the networks of “K” Line and Sharaf Group.

Takashi Kodera has been appointed Director and General Manager of the Dubai-based KLSL, Kazutaka Imaizumi will serve as Director and Chairman, and Ibrahim Sharaf, one of the founders of Sharaf Group, has been appointed Director and Vice Chairman of the new joint venture.

Sharaf Group has over 11,000 staff employed across a number of businesses, including a shipping agency (Sharaf Shipping Agency), logistics (Sharaf Logistics and Emirates Logistics), retail business, travel agency (Sharaf Travel) and Sharaf Exchange.

Sharaf Group has offices in Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent, Red Sea, African Continent, Europe, Far East /South East Asia, Russia and Australia; and representative offices in Japan, Korea, China and Europe.