Japan Keen on Building Russian Ships

Prospects for the construction of vessels for Russian customers, issues of access to the Russian market for novel ship equipment produced by Japanese manufacturers, and further cooperation between enterprises from the maritime sector of the two countries in the sphere of innovation were the focal points of the fourth Russian-Japanese seminar Development of Cooperation in Shipbuilding and Ship Repair, organised by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association (JSMEA) on September 4-5  in St. Petersburg.

“Register, as an internationally recognised classification society, has traditionally been a kind of bridge between Russian and foreign companies. Japan is a leader in the global shipbuilding industry.

The techniques, advanced technology and experience of our Japanese colleagues are of use to Russian maritime sector enterprises. At the same time, Register is capable of helping Japanese manufacturers to understand the demands placed on ship equipment supplied to Russia, and the inspection procedures for such equipment,” said RS COO Pavel Shikhov at the opening of the seminar.

“At present, over 100 RS class vessels are currently being built in various countries of the world. Over the last 12 months, contracts have been concluded for the construction of 70 RS class vessels. Of these vessels, we should particularly note the hi-tech ships designed to transport hydrocarbons, and the ice class vessels.”

The programme for the second day of the seminar included a visit to the Pella Leningrad Shipyard where various types of state-of-the-art tug boats are being built at a rapid pace, to the offices of Sovсomflot, Russia’s largest shipping company specialising in the transportation of oil, oil products and liquefied gas, and to the Krylov State Research Centre – one of the world’s leading centres for research into shipbuilding and design.

“Russia is of great interest to us, especially in terms of its energy projects and all that is linked to the transportation of oil and gas. Japanese companies are particularly interested in playing an active role in the Yamal LNG project.

In addition, we are attracted by prospects for the development of shipping in the Northern Sea Route, the construction of high ice class vessels, and the production and certification of materials and equipment designed to operate in extremely low temperatures.

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping is the acknowledged expert in this sphere, and we are happy to call upon its vast experience,” said Motoyoshi Nakashima, Chairman of the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association.