2022, Director's Message

Blessed New Year!

T.O.M.I.E: Trustworthy, Onward, Micro & Macro, Innovative, Environmental. It took me more than 1 year to really define our core values in line with our purpose, “To Make The World A Better Place”.

• Trustworthy: To be entrusted by working with integrity and honesty.

• Onward: Never satisfied with today and yesterday. Improve. Dream dreams and have visions, always look far and plan beyond.

• Micro & Macro: Complement the details with the big picture. They cannot exist without the other.

• Innovative: Embrace changes, improvise, and always look forward to making things better.

• Environmental: Our responsibility as Citizens of the World!

2021 flashed past and I am thankful to God for an amazing year, especially in new areas as we are being sought for commentaries, opinions and market research. It only means we have a value as we are blessed with insight!

2022 will be an interesting year for us, in which not only will we be making more grounds in what we do best, i.e. ship brokerage, maritime consultancy and bespoke shipping service, but we will finally proceed to our investment in (1) human capital and (2) research. God willing, we hope to add a new investment with (3) diversification.

1. We will be looking at bringing on board new team members;

2. Focusing on Onward, Innovation and Environment, we will be looking at investing in 2 areas of particular interest, (a) recycling, and (b) energy.

3. As much as ship brokerage and maritime consultancy have been the crux of our works so far, I feel our long term growth will be limited. We have a social responsibility to provide employment and build lives, hence there is a need to diversify our services

Many may feel this is warped, but when I started Tomie Pte. Ltd., the focus was not about self, but about creating a company that can benefit and make a difference in the lives of many.

As we recall in 2011, a massive tsunami hit east Japan, most notably Fukushima Prefecture. There is a town called Fudai which was largely preserved. Unknown to many, their late Mayor Mr. Koutoku Wamura built a 673 feet long and 51 feet high seawall with floodgate in the 1970's.

His motivation back then was to shield the town from another tsunami after the wreckages and fatalities in 1896 and 1933. At 51 feet high, there were many oppositions as residents felt it was too excessive and there were no need for it. Mr. Wamura resigned in 1987, and passed away in 1997.

“Even if you encounter opposition, have conviction and finish what you started. In the end, people will understand.” he shared.

As we know, the waves from the tsunami in 2011 was as high as 66 feet, and Fudai was almost intact with minor damages. The residents then paid their respect at Mr. Wamura’s tomb.

I look forward to this being the greatest year yet for us, with your continuous support and friendship! Thank you very much!

Yours faithfully,

Shingo Tomie