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ONE Names Barrelet to Succeed Nixon as CEO

[ February 25, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

Ocean Network Express said Feb. 24 it has appointed Till Ole Barrelet as CEO-designate, succeeding Jeremy Nixon as part of a planned leadership transition.

Barrelet will join the Singapore-based container liner on May 1 and assume the role of CEO on July 1, while Nixon, who has led the company since its launch in 2018, will transition to senior adviser.

Since ONE’s formation in April 2018 through the integration of the container businesses of “K” Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and NYK Line, Nixon and his management team have overseen the development of a unified global carrier. ONE now operates more than 260 vessels with capacity exceeding 2 million TEUs.

Barrelet brings more than 20 years of maritime and logistics experience, most recently as CEO of Emirates Shipping Line. His background includes ship owning, financing and trade development across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Jotaro Tamura, representative director and chairman of Ocean Network Express Holdings Ltd., credited Nixon with building the company’s corporate culture and strengthening its financial position.

“Jeremy’s contribution to Ocean Network Express has been extraordinary,” Tamura said in a statement. “After a comprehensive search, Till emerged as the clear choice to lead ONE’s next chapter.”

Barrelet said the carrier is well positioned to navigate industry headwinds with a modernizing fleet and solid operational foundation, adding that he intends to advance the company’s ONE2030 strategy.

As part of the transition, ONE will adopt a new executive management team structure consisting of the CEO and seven division representatives. Six regional leaders will also report to the CEO under the revised structure.

The company said the succession is planned and will not affect customers or stakeholders.

Tags: Ocean Network Express (ONE), Ocean Network Express Holdings Ltd.