Shoichi Sugawara
Owner, Manager

Born in Yokohama Japan, Shoichi Sugawara began his career in maritime logistics after successfully launching and later transferring ownership of an online Persian rug business during his university years.

After interning at a well-established Japanese fuel company, he joined the firm full-time, gaining hands-on experience in port operations, captaining small supply vessels, and coordinating directly with clients.

In 2017, he was appointed Division Manager of the company’s Defense Logistics Division, responding to requests from the U.S. Navy and allied forces for vessel repairs and logistics support in Japan. Under his leadership, the division grew to generate over $7.5 million in annual revenue, surpassing the company’s primary fuel business. He was promoted to Managing Director in 2022.

Drawing on his extensive experience working with embassies and government agencies, Sugawara founded Nautical Trading Services LLC to bridge U.S. government operations with international commercial partners.

In November 2023, following the crash of a U.S. special operations Osprey aircraft, he was appointed by the U.S. Navy as the lead contractor for recovery and on-site support. Deployed alongside U.S. Air Force and Navy units, he completed all assigned tasks despite sustaining serious injuries in a secondary on-site incident. This experience deepened his commitment to public service and led to his enlistment in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2024.

Today, Nautical Trading Services operates under his leadership with a focus on precision, reliability, and transparency—supporting government and defense operations across the Far East through a highly vetted team with the required security clearances.