MISC Berhad is a leading provider of international energy-related maritime solutions and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, its core businesses include energy shipping which largely covers liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum and product shipping and its related activities, owning and operating offshore floating solutions, marine repair and conversion, as well as heavy engineering and construction. This year marks 50 years since the company's inception and The Japan Times interviewed Yee Yang Chien, MISC president and group CEO, to find out how the company has evolved and its ongoing ties with Japan.

How has the company evolved over the past 50 years?

We started off in 1968 to support trade and economic development and at the same time promote the maritime sector for Malaysia. In 1997, MISC became part of the Petronas Group — Malaysia's national oil company. Naturally through time, we have been shaped by the changes in the industrial landscape, whether that is global maritime changes, or economically or how trade actually flows. So, we have evolved and realized that the global shipping industry is one that is very asset-intensive, requiring lots of investment before we can generate revenues. Today we are known within the global shipping fraternity as one of the strongest in terms of our expertise and commitment to our customers and partners.