今治造船将把JMU纳为子公司，对抗中韩企业

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of Japan Marine United (JMU) by Imabari Shipbuilding aims to enhance competitiveness against Chinese and Korean shipbuilders by increasing construction volume and improving cost efficiency through collaboration in material procurement [1][4][5]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Imabari Shipbuilding plans to increase its stake in JMU from 30% to 60%, acquiring shares from JFE Holdings and IHI [2]. - The transaction is subject to approval from relevant authorities and is expected to take several months [2]. - Following the acquisition, Imabari will hold a 60% voting power in JMU, while JFE and IHI's voting power will decrease to 20% each [2]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - If the acquisition is successful, the combined annual construction volume of Imabari and JMU will reach approximately 5 million gross tons, positioning them as the fourth largest globally [4]. - In 2024, Imabari's construction volume is projected to be 3.28 million gross tons, ranking sixth in the world, while JMU is expected to contribute 1.41 million gross tons, ranking twelfth [4]. - The combined volume would surpass Hanwha Ocean of South Korea, which has a construction volume of 3.7 million gross tons [4]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Japanese shipbuilders, including Imabari, face challenges from Chinese and Korean competitors due to lower labor costs and material prices in those countries [5]. - In 2023, Japan's construction volume was 10.05 million tons, a 31% decrease over five years, while China and South Korea saw increases of around 30% during the same period [5]. - Imabari's move to acquire JMU is seen as a necessary step to enhance competitiveness, as previous cooperative efforts have not sufficiently addressed cost issues [5][6]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The acquisition will facilitate information sharing between Imabari and JMU, improving negotiation power with clients and potentially lowering material procurement costs [6]. - Imabari plans to expand its business scope from commercial ships to include naval vessels, responding to market demands [6]. - The collaboration is also linked to broader geopolitical considerations, including shipbuilding support for icebreakers and maintenance of U.S. vessels in Japan [6].