Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is considering restarting ferry ship construction at its Nagasaki shipyard in southern Japan.
Japanese news agency Kyodo reports that the shipbuilder is mulling a comeback in passengership activities by fiscal year 2020.
It cited increasing demand in marine transportation due to “serious” labour shortages in land transportation.
According to MHI’s website, the company has built six ferries and three cruiseships so far.
The Nagasaki facility currently has 10 LNG and four LPG carries under construction, data from Clarksons show.
MHI reached an agreement with compatriot Oshima Shipbuilding to form an alliance in the commercial ship business in June.
“The agreement with Oshima will utilise the expertise of both companies, establishing a technical alliance to focus on development of new ship designs and technologies, standardization of design and construction and efficient shared use of tools and equipments,” MHI said at the time.
