Imabari Shipbuilding, Japans leading shipbuilder, made significant strides toward strengthening their position in the global maritime industry with events highlighting their focus on advanced vessel delivery, strategic acquisitions, collaborative innovation initiatives, and national efforts to revitalize shipbuilding capacity.
Deliver of One SERENITY Containership
On December 19, Imabari Shipbuilding completed and delivered the 13,900-TEU containership ONE SERENITY from its Marugame headquarters shipyard. The vessel, designed exclusively for container transport, boasts a capacity of 13,932 TEU and features up to four lashing bridges on deck, enabling efficient handling of large numbers of frozen containers and various hazardous materials compliant with the IMDG Code.
Environmental efficiency forms the core of the ships design, incorporating energy-saving devices, a twist rudder, and low-friction hull paint. Its Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) achieves approximately 60% lower than the standard for similar-sized vessels. Additional technologies include Bow Wind Cover, hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), ballast water treatment systems, and compliance with the Ship Recycling Convention. The ship has received AiP approval for potential future conversions to methanol or ammonia fuel, as well as CO2 recovery equipment.
Specifications reveal its grand scale: length: 335.94 meters, beam: 51.00 meters, depth: 30.10 meters and gross tonnage of 140233, powered by a 7G95ME-C10.6 main engine capable of 22 knots service speed. Classified and flagged under Liberia flagging laws it stands testament to Imabaris commitment towards high capacity eco-friendly containerships.
Regulatory Approval Awarded for Japan Marine United Stake Increase
Imabari Shipbuilding recently secured competition law approvals for their planned purchase of additional shares in Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) from JFE Holdings and IHI Corporation, setting an anticipated closing date of January 5, 2026 and raising their voting stake from 30% to 60% compared with JFE reducing to 20% each.
This action builds upon the capital and business alliance established in January 2021, when Nippon Shipyard (NSY) was formed, to increase international competitiveness in an increasingly challenging global market. No changes to operations or investment ratios of NSY are anticipated post-transaction, provided all necessary notifications and approvals from Japanese and overseas authorities have been received.
Japans stake raise is in line with its wider strategy to revitalize shipbuilding, seeking to counter China and South Koreas dominance through consolidation and capacity expansion.
MoU for Standard Design Framework on CO2 Carriers
On December 1, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, K LINE, MOL, NYK Line, JMU, and NSY signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a standard design framework using MILES for liquefied CO2 carriers and alternative fuel ships. This initiative targets efficient development and initial design processes to enhance domestic industry competitiveness.
JMU and NSY will invest in MILES to promote widespread adoption of standardized specifications and designs. The collaboration supports sustainable goals, including progress toward a carbon-neutral society, by focusing on next-generation vessels capable of handling liquefied CO2 and alternative fuels like ammonia.
National Shipbuilding Roadmap provides context.
These developments coincide with Japans transport ministry and Cabinet Office roadmap, announced December 26, aiming to consolidate domestic shipbuilders into one to three groups by 2028 and double annual output to 18 million gross tons by 2035. The plan targets a 20% global market share recovery through investments in crude oil, food, liquefied CO2 carriers, and ammonia-fueled ships.
Imabari plays an integral part, with chairman Yukito Higaki leading industry advocacy for government support through equipment upgrades like cranes and the proposed $6.6 billion fund. Their roadmap emphasizes automation, AI, robotics and facility expansion to reduce costs by 10% while rebuilding competitiveness by 2034.
Overall, Imabaris December activities place it at the forefront of Japans strategic push, combining immediate operational milestones with long-term industry transformation efforts.