A new ship repairyard has been launched earlier this month by Japanese shipbuilders Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (KHI).
The shipyard MES-KHI Yura Dockyard will specialize in LNG ship repair, as MES and Kawasaki endeavor to tap into the growing potential of the uptake in North American shale gas transport which is in turn expected to spur LNG ship maintenance demand.
Market forecasts indicate that the number of LNG carriers could reach around 700 units by 2030, adding 300 units more to the global LNG carrier fleet.
The joint venture is 60 pct-owned by MES and 40 pct-owned by KHI.
Under the contract, announced in December 2014, KHI plans to continue commercial ship repair business of Kobe Works and move Sakaide Works to MES-KHI Yura Dockyard.
The yard will initially have 190 employees.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: MES