Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2016)

MARKET INSIGHT: JAPAN

Photo: Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

Information Technology

I believe it is necessary for Japan to lead the world in taking advantage of information technology to bring innovation to maritime industry, including shipbuilding. It will enable us to further enhance the international competitiveness. for us to develop a new business model not the case with Japan. Instead it is our certain measures in the maritime sector From the aspect of the shipping indus- to provide holistic service to assist ship strategy to maintain our valuable ship- to strengthen our cyber security. We are try in Japan, there are not any adverse owners/operators to assure stable opera- ping industry by supporting companies’ very positive to establish the framework affects today. The shipping industry has tion of their ships without problems. At effort to obtain and enhance global com- to ensure cyber security in this sector. quickly overcome. Some of the port the threshold of a new era of information petitiveness. Under such circumstances, business is still under re-construction, technology, Maritime Bureau provides I believe three of Japan’s leading ship- You touched on it brie? y, but if we but for the most part the function of the support to the effort of maritime industry ping companies, NYK, MOL and K Line can expand a bit on the topic of ship ports in the northern sector are function- to introduce the information technology. are doing an excellent job. Speci? cally equipment supply. Can you provide ing almost normally.

This year we started a grant program to NYK has been aggressively adopting an overview of government policy in assist R&D activities aimed at utilizing information technology for business ap- regards to companies that sell product Maritime Traf? c and Maritime Safe- information technologies for maritime plication. NYK is a front-runner in this and service to the maritime commu- ty: What are Japan’s priorities re- applications. endeavor, and MOL and K Line, are fol- garding safe and ef? cient operations nity?

lowing the lead as well. I think it is de- in your ports and harbors and your

Now if we could turn our attention sirable that Japanese companies compete

The ship machinery business in Ja- maritime areas of inerest?

to shipowners. Can you give me an with each other to address this challenge. pan is an indispensible part of the Japa- nese shipbuilding industry. Almost 90% overview of the Japanese shipowners Safety is the most fundamental issue today, again with insights on key gov- Maritime Security: Can you give us of the vessel constructed in Japan uses for the shipping business. I contend that ernment policies intended to ensure a an overview of Japan’s top maritime Japanese materials. It means that prod- Japanese shipping companies provide strong maritime future? security challenges as you see them? uct provided by the Japanese ship ma- their service safely and environmentally

Speci? cally, can you discuss govern- chinery industry is very cost competitive friendly manner. It is the attitude of their

As an island nation, it is imperative for ment policy to ensure maritime bor- and reliable with a high overall quality. business. It is a competitive edge for the the economic security of Japan to ensure ders remain secure? This provides the Japanese shipbuilding Japanese shipping industry. The produc-

Japanese shipping companies support industry a competitive edge. Especially tivity of the business, the productivity of nation’s export with a high level of com- We have a bilateral policy dialogue in the information technology area, there marine transport is also important. The petitiveness. At the same time shipping with the U.S. Coast Guard annually, and are many possibilities to introduce this application of information technology in business is a business carried out in a the last time I met the Mr. (Paul “Chip”) technology into their products and ser- the shipping business could provide fur- single global market under free compe- Jaenichen, the head of the U.S. Maritime vices. As such, it will provide additional ther (ef? ciency) improvement. Giving tition. For Japanese shipping industry, Administration. We discussed cyber se- competitiveness to the Japanese ship- ship owning companies to better moni- which is indispensable to the nation, to curity in the maritime industry, important building industry. tor ship operations all around the world maintain a ? rm presence, it is essential as we are entering a new era of informa- is adding to this ef? ciency; cooperation for Japanese government to ensure Japa- tion technology in the maritime sector. The Great East Japan earthquake. between the seafarers and the staff on- nese shipping companies remain com- (This is an issue taken up by) the Inter- Can you describe how this impacted shore is growing continuously and could petitive in the global market. Each coun- drive further improvement.

national Maritime Organization (IMO), Japan’s maritime industry and de- try has its own maritime policy. Some and the U.S. has taken the initiative. We scribe ongoing efforts to help it re- country subsidizes business operation cooperate together on this issue, and we cover?

in order to keep the business a? oat. It’s are cooperating to develop and promote 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2016

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