Contract worth $351.3-394.5 million
China Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has ordered from the Japanese shipyards Nihon Shipyard Co. and Imabari Shipbuilding Co. the construction of three dual-fuel container ships with 8,000 TEUs to be added to the three ships of the same capacity ordered in March(of 28March 2025). The additional three container ships can be powered by methanol and will be delivered between 2028 and 2030.
For the three additional ships ordered from the Japanese shipyards, a unit investment of between 117.1and117.1and131.5 million is expected, for a total order value of $351.3-394.5 million. The new order is part of the renewal and expansion of the fleet approved at the end of last year by the board of directors of Yang Ming(of 23 December 2024).
Meanwhile, today Imabari Shipbuilding announced that during the fiscal year 2024, which ended on 31 March, its shipyards built 68 ships for a total of 3.08 million gross tonnage, of which 53 bulk carriers, 11 container ships, and four pure car & truck carriers. Additionally, during the year, the company received new orders for the construction of 82 ships for a total of 4.2 million gross tonnage, securing activity volumes for the next four years approximately.
Imabari believes that the current fiscal year 2025 will be characterized by a high rate of uncertainty due mainly to the policies adopted by US President Donald Trump and by strong fluctuations in exchange rates and the shipping market. The company has expressed its intention to increase its domestic shipbuilding production, despite the shortage of skilled personnel, through the support of the Japanese government, which, Imabari pointed out, is moving to support the national shipbuilding industry in terms of economic security. The company highlighted the need for the Japanese shipbuilding industry to increase its share of the world market, which is currently dominated by the Chinese shipbuilding industry, accounting for 70% of orders and 50% of constructions.
