日本造船复活的条件（上）联合开发新一代船

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese shipbuilding industry is experiencing a temporary boom due to high demand and ship prices, but faces significant challenges from Chinese and Korean competitors, particularly in the LNG transport ship sector, leading to a declining global presence [1][5][7]. Group 1: Current Market Conditions - The shipyard schedule in Japan is booked for three years ahead, with ship prices remaining high, marking a rare "spring" for the industry [1]. - The Japan Marine United (JMU) reported a net profit increase to 19.9 billion yen for the fiscal year 2024, a 5.4 times increase from the previous year, indicating strong performance among Japanese shipbuilders [5]. - Despite the current success, Japan's share of new ship orders has dropped to 7% in 2024, with China at 69% and South Korea at 15%, highlighting a significant decline in global competitiveness [5]. Group 2: Challenges and Competition - Japanese companies have not secured any LNG ship orders since 2016, with South Korea and China dominating the market, holding 60% and 40% of the orders respectively [7]. - The Japanese government is attempting to support the industry by investing approximately 120 billion yen in zero-emission ships, including ammonia and hydrogen fuel vessels, to enhance competitiveness [7][8]. - The "All Japan" initiative aims to standardize fuel tanks for new eco-friendly ships, which could reduce design costs and improve delivery times, addressing the challenges posed by larger competitors [7][8]. Group 3: Future Prospects - The MILES initiative, a collaboration between Imabari Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aims to develop liquid CO2 transport ships, indicating a shift towards innovative projects in response to market pressures [8][9]. - The global ship rental market is currently facing low rates due to an oversupply of LNG vessels, complicating the outlook for future ship sales at high prices [9]. - Japanese shipbuilders must adapt quickly to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing market, as exemplified by the completion of a liquid CO2 ship by a Chinese company, which underscores the urgency for Japanese firms to innovate [9].