Financial Wire

Market Chatter: Japanese Export Ship Orders Fall for Fourth Straight Year as Labor Shortage Threatens 2035 Capacity Goal

-- New contracts for Japanese export vessels fell for the fourth consecutive year in fiscal 2025, totaling 9.04 million gross metric tons, down 15% from a year ago, Nikkei Asia reported on Tuesday, citing Japan Ship Exporters' Association data.

A severe labor shortage is preventing the country's shipbuilders from expanding capacity, threatening the government's goal of doubling output by 2035, the publication said.

Despite strong global demand for replacing 2010-era ships, Japanese shipyards are booked through 2029, leaving them unable to meet even domestic needs, the news agency reported, citing Imabari Shipbuilding's president Yukito Higaki.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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