MHI Completes Modernization of Shimonoseki Shipyard

The 300-ton jib crane and a 150-ton crane, which is also newly installed at the 186 meter (m)-long, 53m-width berth of the Enoura Plant replace four existing aged cranes. Last autumn the plant expanded its general assembly work area beside the berth utilizing an adjoining vacant lot, a reclaimed site which was originally dock No.1. By shifting some of the assembly works being conducted at the berth, which require setup on a high place, to assembly at a fully-equipped ground level site, enhancement of work efficiency has been achieved. Now, in boosting capacity to transfer building blocks and components of ships through installation of a new crane, efficiency in large-component assembly work, which is conducted prior to vessel erection in the berth, has also been improved. By modernization and various work efficiency improvements, the shipyard targets to improve productivity by 15%.

The Shimonoseki Shipyard primarily targets the market for coastal-service vessels of Japanese customers and governmental-organization-use vessels and mainly competes with Japanese shipyards constructing medium-size vessels. Through a series of modernization and various ongoing improvement activities, the shipyard will establish a structure to win orders, leveraging MHI's comprehensive technological expertise, even in a severe business environment.

The modernization program at the shipyard began in October 2007 with the launch of a new processing and assembly shop for high-speed aluminum ships at the Enoura Plant. With completion of the new wing, the shipyard has improved the productivity and expanded construction capacity of aluminum ships, such as patrol vessels and fisheries patrol boats. In October 2010 the shipyard completed a blast/painting shop equipped with air-conditioning, dust control and component block transfer systems, along with an expanded general assembly area, at the former No.1 dock site. The new blast/painting shop complies with the new rules for ballast tank coating set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and achieves a structure for performing all the work involving painting, including paint surface preparation, of ships' ballast water tanks in a secure and stabilized environment.

In its 2010 Medium-Term Business Plan for the five years beginning fiscal 2010, MHI has set down a new business strategy for its Shipbuilding and Ocean Development segment. The new strategy includes measures targeting earnings acceleration, cost structure reforms, and entry into large-scale projects and new business fields.

Following the completion of its shipyard modernization program, going forward, the Shimonoseki Shipyard will pursue even greater efficiency in its operating structure. The shipyard will further strengthen its competitiveness in coastal-service and special-purpose vessels, areas in which the company already has a solid track record, and focus more on vessels incorporating new high added value such as environmental friendliness.

Note: A jib crane is a type of crane that has a horizontal boom (jib) to hoist and suspend goods.