Shipbuilding industry in Japan - statistics & facts

Japan is one of the three leading shipbuilding nations in the world today, ranking third after China and South Korea. The country is one of the largest producers of trading vessels worldwide, backed by the demand of the Japanese merchant fleet, one of the largest in the world. Shipping, shipbuilding, and marine engineering form the core of Japan’s tightly intertwined maritime industry. Together they face – on top of a highly competitive market – the challenge of making Japanese maritime shipping carbon-neutral by 2050.

Which are the heavyweights of Japanese shipbuilding?

Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation have the highest gross tonnage output, dominating the cargo vessel market even more so since the two companies established Nihon Shipyard as a joint venture in January 2021. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsui E&S, and Namura Shipbuilding are among the largest listed shipbuilders focusing on the commercial sector. In October 2021, Mitsui E&S restructured its shipbuilding business, selling its naval branch to defense supplier Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and half of its merchant ship business to Tsuneishi Shipbuilding. Although MHI has other core businesses, the company remains influential in the commercial ship sector, for which MHI allied with Oshima Shipbuilding. Flagship projects of the industry are zero-emission ships, autonomous vessels, and IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, often realized in joint developments.

Bridging the path to carbon-neutrality

To achieve carbon neutrality in the maritime industry, manufacturers and the government spend billions of Japanese yen on R&D of next-generation propulsion systems. Large vessel projects include ships propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid hydrogen, and ammonia. The first LNG-propelled vessels are operational. Despite LNG not being carbon-neutral, its combustion promises to emit fewer toxic exhausts than conventional fuel oil. Additionally, LNG can reduce the burden on the climate insofar no methane slips occur. However, marine fuels need carbon-neutral green hydrogen to achieve emission targets.

Carbon-neutral marine fuels need green hydrogen

Whether hydrogen-powered vessels can be considered carbon-neutral depends on the method of hydrogen production. Three types exist. Gray hydrogen is produced through fossil fuels such as natural gas. This production process emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO²) as a byproduct. With blue hydrogen, the production processes are similar, but the CO² emissions are recaptured using carbon capture and storage technologies. Finally, green hydrogen uses renewable energy sources to power the hydrogen production process through electrolysis, splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). Green hydrogen is considered the most environmentally friendly hydrogen production method. The hydrogen economy is still in its infancy but might have a bright future ahead, as it could become a key element on the road to carbon neutrality in the transportation sector in general. Some smaller ships already employ hydrogen combustion engines today, and research on efficient hydrogen-fueled combustion systems for large vessels is on the way.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Alexandru Arba, Dec 19, 2023

Key insights

Order value of vessels
1.64tr JPY
Shipbuilding capacity in Japan
8m compensated GT
Number of shipbuilding employees
67k
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Leading shipbuilding companies in Japan as of March 2023, by total assets (in billion Japanese yen)

Shipbuilding

Major Japanese shipbuilders 2023, by total assets

Volume of shipbuilding completions in Japan from 2013 to 2022, based on gross tonnage (in millions)

Shipbuilding

Volume of ships completed in Japan, based on gross tonnage 2013-2022

Order value for vessels in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in billion Japanese yen)

Shipbuilding

Order value for ships in Japan 2013-2022

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Imabari Shipbuilding

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Imabari Shipbuilding

Japan Marine United

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Mitsui E&S Holdings

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Automobile industry in Japan
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Fishing industry in Japan
Maritime transportation in Japan
Maritime transportation in Japan
International trade of Japan
International trade of Japan
Machinery industry in Japan
Machinery industry in Japan
Fossil fuels in Japan
Fossil fuels in Japan

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