Page 13: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2016)

Shipbuilding Strategy

Japanese shipbuilders have refrained from quantitative expansion of building capacity and rather focused on increasing pro? tabil- ity. In the light of current world shipbuilding and shipping market condition plagued by oversupply, it has turned out that Japanese shipbuilding industry had made the right choice that Japanese shipbuilding industry had How has currency policy affected Jap- cially during this market downturn. up with our technology. As one of the made the right choice to adopt such an anese shipbuilding? major themes of this year’s Sea Japan, industrial strategy. In fact, while ship- And in looking at the overall strength the era of innovation through informa- building companies in Korea and China Abenomics, Prime Minister Abe’s of the Japanese shipyards today, what tion technology has ? nally arrived in are forced to go through drastic struc- economic policies, let the yen fall in val- maritime industry. I believe it is neces- do you see?

tural adjustment, current orderbook of ue against other major currencies. Three sary for Japan to lead the world in taking

Japanese shipbuilders guarantees three years ago, the exchange rate was about One of the strongest attributes of advantage of information technology to years of workload. It means that while 80 yen to the dollar, now it is 110 yen to Japanese shipbuilding is its technologi- bring innovation to maritime industry,

Korean and Chinese shipbuilding in- including shipbuilding. It will enable us the dollar. It is a huge improvement in cal competence. Energy saving perfor- dustry are going through structural ad- exchange rate. Unlike Korean and Chi- mance of Japanese built ships and cost to further enhance the international com- justment, Japanese shipbuilders have nese competitors, Japanese shipbuilders competitiveness supported by the high petitiveness. Traditional business model enough leeway to wait for market recov- of Japanese shipbuilders has been to pro- have enough margin of resilience to wait productivity contribute to the com- ery. Japanese government’s ? scal policy for market recovery. It is essential for petitive edge of Japanese shipbuilders. vide products and maintenance services also worked to their advantage. Japanese shipbuilders to make an effort However, we are well aware that our for the products. However, with the ad- to further enhance competitiveness espe- competitors are always waiting to catch vent of information technology, it is time

IT’S DIFFERENT

Whether you are navigating the

Mississippi or operating in the Gulf,

Louisiana Cat is there with products and services to support you. Cat propulsion engines and generator sets are designed

OUT THERE...

to meet your high standards for power,

RELIABILITYÏANDÏEFlCIENCYÏTOÏDIFFERENTIATEÏ your business in the marketplace.

Louisiana Cat can meet your needs for the reliable heavy duty performance that will give you peace of mind. When you are out working on the water, Cat products and services make the difference. www.LouisianaCat.com/Marine © 2015 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of

Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

www.marinelink.com 13

MR #6 (10-17).indd 13 6/6/2016 12:19:34 PM