Page 8: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 1999)

Investment in Design by David Tinsley, technical editor

The Fruit of the Orient

Through a longstanding blend of orga- nizational discipline and an unerring drive for the highest levels of automa- tion attainable in shipbuilding process- es, the industry in Japan demonstrates resilience founded on continuing pro- ductivity advances.

Untiring efforts to seek new ways of reducing man-hours and lead times is wholly characteristic of Japanese com- panies, as they rise to the intensified challenge posed by equally resolute

South Korean yards.

Although designs from Japanese builders are necessarily production-ori- ented, shaping perceptions in the inter- national shipowning market that tailor- ing can only be had at a substantial pre- mium, there is no question about the quality obtainable at a competitive price.

Design-led endeavors directed at keep- ing an edge in man-output and raising manufacturing efficacy are especially pertinent to the complex tanker struc- tures spawned by landmark legislation of the 1990s.

Design optimization had different ramifications in earlier years. But new initiatives to promote build precision now hold out the prospect not only of production gains but also long-term ben- efits in structural reliability.

As the latest expression of Japanese innovation, the first of a new breed of

VLCCs embodying Kawasaki Heavy

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