Page 24: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

SHIPBUILDING | ASIA

LNG carrier featuring three cargo tanks. Reducing the number 2030, and the Nikkei recently reported that the Japanese gov- of tanks is expected to lighten the hull, thereby improving fuel ernment is considering establishing national shipyards oper- ef? ciency and decreasing natural boil-off of LNG, ultimately ated by private companies.

reducing operating costs. Fewer tanks also mean fewer on- Japan has around a quarter of the bulk carrier orderbook, board pumping systems, which simpli? es maintenance and China now has the rest and is gaining market share, according reduces long-term operational expenses. to global shipbrokers BRS Group. Japanese yards are consoli-

Another MoU was signed with Hanwha Ocean for the de- dating to enhance their competitiveness: Tsuneishi Shipbuild- velopment of an LNG carrier featuring a forward deckhouse. ing has acquired Mitsui E&S, and Imabari Shipbuilding and

The optimized hull form is expected to reduce wind resistance Japan Marine United (JMU) are further consolidating their and improve fuel ef? ciency, while providing more space for business. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Imabari Shipbuilding incorporating energy saving devices such as wind-assisted and Japan Marine United are jointly planning to build lique- propulsion systems. ? ed hydrogen carriers. The aim is to combine facilities and

Move positive developments are on the way. Chinese ship- human resources following the ? rst commercial carrier to be builders have been dominating the feeder container ship mar- designed and built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

ket, but HD Hyundai Mipo is gradually expanding its market Some Asian shipbuilders have acquired yards in Vietnam share based on its differentiated technology and high quality. and the Philippines to boost production and lower costs.

The yard won orders for 16 feeder container ships (under 3,000 Vietnam’s orderbook was exceeded by the Philippines in

TEU) out of a total of 33 ships ordered worldwide this year 2024, led by Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu, but Viet- (according to Clarksons), taking ? rst place in market share. nam’s shipbuilding has increased tenfold over the past 10

Korea is also looking to the U.S. market. Hanwha Ocean years and is expected to keep growing. has already acquired Philly Shipyard, and is looking to ac- Still, as BRS says in its Annual Review 2025: “China has quire Austal. HD Hyundai has entered a technology partner- built a remarkable shipbuilding industry with well-equipped ship with Huntington Ingalls and signed a collaboration deal shipyards, a large base of marine equipment makers, and a with Edison Chouest Offshore. robust banking system with personnel well acquainted and

Japan is also pursuing deeper collaboration with the U.S. dedicated to the task. The nation’s success in shipbuilding is through a Japan-US Shipbuilding Revitalization Fund. The no longer just about cheap labor. China has also developed a idea is to focus on car carriers, LNG carriers and ice class strong shipowning sector, naturally capable of placing a huge naval vessels. number of orders with domestic yards – an advantage that Ja-

The volume of construction and orders received by the Jap- pan also knows but South Korea lacks.” anese shipbuilding industry has dropped signi? cantly due to China’s fortunes could still change. BIMCO’s ? gures for the rise of China and South Korea. In addition, the technical the ? rst half of 2025 indicate that Chinese shipyards’ market capabilities that are the strength of the Japanese shipbuild- share has dropped from 72% to 52% amid growing concerns ing industry are being rapidly pursued by the two countries. over the impact of US Trade Representative (USTR) port fees

Despite this, Japan aims to double its shipbuilding output by on Chinese ships.

JAPAN: JAPAN:

In May, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding delivered the world’s