JMU secures role in Japan’s push for green ship production

Shipbuilding company Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) has been selected for the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s collaborative project “Promotion of Zero-Emission Ship Construction” focused on establishing a domestic production system for zero-emission and similar vessels.

As disclosed, JMU was awarded its seat by the project’s table with a proposal named “Establishing an efficient supply system for alternative/new fuel vessels.“ The selection was made on January 9, 2025.

The Ministries’ initiative is reportedly driven by a commitment to bolster Japan’s green ship production ahead of the global market by implementing infrastructure projects needed for the construction of such vessels.

It is understood that, at the same time, this sustainability-oriented endeavor is seeking to cut down on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, while strengthening the country’s industrial competitiveness and fostering economic growth.

While still described as one of the ‘leading’ nations in the realm of shipbuilding, Japan’s 2024 status quo within this industry has seen some oscillations. According to October 2024 data from the Japan Ship Exporters Association (JSEA), Japanese shipbuilders saw a plunge in new orders for that month—an anomaly compared to the steadiness of the months leading up to that, starting from February 2024.

Specifically, Japanese shipbuilders had clinched orders for a total of 16 units in October of that year, with a combined capacity of 697,400 dwt. As reported, this was a 70.9% drop from the units ordered during that same period in 2023.

Nonetheless, from a broader perspective, when accounting for worldwide figures, Japan still stood at around 20% of the worldwide shipbuilding output as of March 2024, making the country number three after China at the top and South Korea in second place.

To add to this, with the global push for decarbonization growing ever stronger, Japanese shipbuilders and other maritime industry stakeholders have, too, charted a green course ahead. For JMU, specifically, the “Promotion of Zero-Emission Ship Construction” project is set to serve as a springboard to invest in the infrastructure required to resolve the existing bottlenecks in the construction of ships powered by clean fuels.

As informed, the related investment amount is approximately ¥20 billion (circa $128.4 million) with operations scheduled to commence in 2027.

In addition to this, JMU revealed that the company also has plans underway to increase the number of alternative fuel-powered ships toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 by accelerating this ratio from the current 15% to 70% by 2030 and then 85% by 2040.

Looking further than this date, JMU’s verve also aligns with the country’s shipping industry’s push to completely decarbonize by 2050; specifically, in 2021, the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA) shared that $280 billion would be invested by 2050 to accomplish the set climate neutrality goals.

Almost 5 years ago, JMU was involved in a cross-industry effort that intended to study carbon recycling for the purpose of powering ships.

Namely, in July 2020, EX Research Institute Ltd., Hitachi Zosen Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, JGC Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Japan Marine United Corporation, Class NK, Nippon Steel Corporation, and Sanoyas Shipbuilding Corporation joined forces in a Ship Carbon Recycling Working Group. The WG endeavored to explore the feasibility of the concept of utilizing methanation technology for zero-emission ship fuels.

Much more recently, Japanese shipping colossal Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Japan Marine United Corporation revealed they would work on formulating an analysis and evaluation method to explore ship performance in actual seas before construction is completed as well as to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by procuring highly fuel-efficient vessels.