On October 28, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Lutnick, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at advancing cooperation between the United States and Japan in the shipbuilding sector. Focusing on shipbuilding cooperation and the development of the maritime industry, the two countries will establish a “U.S.-Japan Shipbuilding Working Group” and collaborate in the following five key areas:
First, expanding the shipbuilding production capacity of both countries, establishing corporate partnerships between enterprises of the two nations, communicating and sharing best practices to enhance competitiveness and efficiency, and modernizing shipyards through strategic investment.
Second, promoting investment in the U.S. maritime industrial base by identifying investment opportunities.
Third, clarifying the vessel requirements of market entities, clarifying relevant policies issued by both governments that impact the demand for public vessels and merchant ships, and exploring operable technical specifications for both sides to improve production compatibility.
Fourth, strengthening education and training, cultivating shipbuilding talent, standardizing processes for talent training and education programs, and establishing new talent pipelines for the industry.
Fifth, promoting technological innovation, with both countries cooperating to develop and apply advanced technologies, including digital solutions and advanced manufacturing technologies (such as artificial intelligence, robotics), and optimizing high-end ship design.
Source: Maritime Early Know
