Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding has delivered its last merchant ship as the former giant ends 100 years of shipbuilding in Japan.
The 66,000-dwt bulker newbuilding Jal Kalpataru was constructed at its Tamano shipyard for compatriot shipowner Doun Shipping.
The ship is part of Mitsui E&S' environmentally friendly “neo series” of bulk carrier designs, and the company said it will be the last ship it builds in Japan.
“This is the 23rd ship of our “neo66BC” series, the wide-beam shallow draught vessel, and the last merchant vessel built under our name,” Mitsui E&S said.
“The core business of Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding shifts to engineering services, which contribute to the growth of the maritime industry.”
The Tamano facility has been sold to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which will use it to build navy vessels.
The shipbuilder has been curtailing its shipbuilding activities in Japan over recent years as it is no longer competitive with rivals in China and South Korea.
Instead, it has focused on shipbuilding overseas through its Chinese joint venture, Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding.
It has also developed a business cooperation pact with compatriot Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.
Sister company Mitsui E&S Machinery remains Japan’s biggest supplier of large-size marine engines and container cranes.
Another sister outfit — Modec — is a leading oil and gas offshore development player.
TradeWinds reported previously how, in a similar development, Japan Marine United recently delivered its last ship from its Maizuru shipyard before withdrawing the facility from commercial shipbuilding.
