Japanese shipyards’ orders rocketed 236% in September as shipowners rushed to build vessels in compliance with IMO standards taking effect from July 2016.
Japan Ship Exporters Association (JSEA) members’ yards won 40 orders totalling 1,525,550 gt in the month, up from 12 orders for 453,970 gt in September last year, according to JSEA figures.
IMO goal-based standards raise steel weight for bulkers and tankers by requiring wider and thicker timber in the construction of cargo holds.
JSEA said its members’ 40 orders in September consisted of 10 container ships, 19 bulkers, two LNG carriers, two Suezmax tankers, two Aframax tankers, three general cargo vessels, and two ro-ro cargo ships.
IHS Maritime’s Sea-web data indicates that the 10 box ships were five 2,800 teu ships ordered by Evergreen Marine Corp and five 14,000 teu vessels ordered by Japanese tonnage provider Shoei Kisen Kaisha for long-term charter to Yang Ming Marine.
The two LNG carriers are likely to be vessels ordered by joint ventures between Chubu Electric and Mitsui OSK Lines and NYK Line.
The 19 bulkers consisted of 10 Handysizes, five Handymaxes, two post-Panamaxes, one log carrier, and one chip carrier.
Japanese shipbuilders are known for constructing bulkers and stainless steel chemical tankers.
JSEA members’ yards exported 29 ships totalling 992,660 gt in September, down from 31 ships and 1,302,669gt in the same month last year.
As of 30 September, Japanese shipyards had an outstanding orderbook of 709 ships and 33,737,189 gt, up from 678 ships and 28,456,470gt at the same point last year.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
