One of Japan’s most prestigious shipyards has outlined plans for the future of its Nagasaki operations, a move that will see it concentrate on just two ship types to increase efficiency amid intense competition from other yards across East Asia.
On October 1 two new wholly owned group companies of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will commence operations in Nagasaki. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipbuilding will focus on the construction of LNG and LPG gas carriers, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Hull Production will specialise in the production of large-scale hull blocks, which will be used both in house and sold to other yards.
Mitsubishi Heavy is one of Japan’s largest yards. It recently made an ill timed return to cruise shipbuilding, which has not worked out. As well as its Nagasaki yard it has other shipyards in Kobe and Shimonoseki.
