Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has confirmed plans to form an alliance with Imabari Shipbuilding and Namura Shipbuilding.
The three Japanese shipbuilders have joined forces in the wake of ongoing discussions focused on forming alliances in the shipbuilding industry.
MHI is also in negotiations with Oshima Shipbuilding, which is expected to join the partnership as well.
TradeWinds reported a shipbuilding alliance was gaining momentum earlier this month.
MHI said: “The agreements are targeted at achieving sustained growth through the pursuit of mutually complementary, synergy-generating alliances while respecting each partner’s independence.”
The newly formed partnership will see the shipbuilders work together on various areas such as ship designs, sharing of workforces and innovative technologies.
It is expected that separate contracts will be concluded between MHI and each partner.
The Japanese shipbuilders follow in the footsteps of compatriot liner companies MOL, NYK and K Line, which merged their fleets last October.
