ONE Ends Direct Japan–Europe Calls: Why Busan Is Now the Key Hub

The global container shipping network is entering another major transition phase.

From fiscal year 2026, Ocean Network Express (ONE) will significantly restructure its Japan–East Asia network, eliminating direct Japan–Europe calls and shifting to a full transshipment model via Busan.

At first glance, this move may look like a downgrade for Japanese ports.

In reality, it represents a strategic decision focused on schedule reliability, risk control, and service quality recovery rather than cost cutting or retreat.

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What exactly is changing from 2026

ONE will discontinue its traditional pendulum service linking Asia, Europe, and North America.

Instead, the network will be separated by trade lane.

• North America services will be maintained as Japan-direct shuttle services
• Europe-bound cargo from Japan will be routed via Busan

To support this structure, ONE will launch two dedicated feeder services.

• Japan Shuttle East
• Japan Shuttle West

These services will connect major Japanese ports such as Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe with Busan on a twice-weekly basis, ensuring high-frequency connectivity to Europe-bound mainline vessels.

Why ONE abandoned the pendulum model

The pendulum service is efficient in theory but fragile in practice.

When disruptions occur in Europe such as port strikes, congestion, or rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope due to Red Sea instability, delays cascade across the entire loop.

As a result, delays in Europe directly affected North America and Japan services.

This domino effect severely undermined schedule reliability.

Across the industry, on-time performance has become a critical KPI.

This is also evident in the strategy adopted by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd under the Gemini Cooperation framework, which emphasizes hub-and-spoke operations and controlled transshipment.

ONE’s decision aligns with this broader structural shift.

What shippers are most concerned about

From a shipper’s perspective, two questions immediately arise.

• Will transit times increase
• Will transshipment in Busan introduce new risks

ONE has addressed these concerns by offering strong Europe-bound connections from Busan, including the FE4 service with direct calls to Rotterdam and other key ports.

According to ONE, overall transit times will remain broadly in line with current services despite the additional transshipment step.

However, real performance will depend on execution.

While Busan is a highly efficient global hub, congestion and weather-related disruptions can still occur, especially during peak seasons.

Strategic upside for supply chains

Not all implications are negative.

One of the most positive developments is the launch of the JTI service, providing direct connectivity from Japan to India and Pakistan.

This directly supports the ongoing shift toward supply chain diversification and “China plus one” strategies.

• Improved transit time to South Asia
• Greater schedule predictability
• Reduced reliance on indirect routing

For exporters targeting emerging South Asian markets, this is a meaningful upgrade in logistics quality.

How Japan’s role is evolving

Looking ahead, Japanese ports are likely to evolve from primary mainline call ports into high-reliability feeder hubs.

This shift reflects a trade-off between visibility and reliability.

In an era of geopolitical risk and operational volatility, certainty is becoming more valuable than theoretical speed.

ONE’s network redesign clearly prioritizes stability over tradition.