Japanese shipbuilders have secured enough export orders to keep building berths occupied through 2029, according to the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association.
As of 31 December 2025, Japanese yards held an export order backlog of 24,072,770 gross tonnes, equal to about three and a half years of work. The association said order activity during the year was affected by Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine, the situation in the Red Sea, uncertainty over US trade representative policies, and berth availability at shipyards worldwide.
By vessel type, orders for gas carriers and oil tankers declined, while bulk carriers and containerships increased. The association said orders rose notably for feeder containerships and Suezmax tankers, linked to fleet expansion by major shipping lines.
Bulk carriers made up 73 percent of Japan’s total order book, while containerships and other cargo vessels accounted for 17 percent. Japanese yards signed contracts for 25 Capesize bulk carriers, matching the 10-year high recorded in 2024. Panamax orders fell 20 percent year on year, contributing to a 26 percent decline in total bulker orders for Japanese yards on a gross tonnage basis.
In the global market, China held a 66 percent share of new orders. South Korea followed with 19.6 percent, while Japan accounted for nine percent.
Japanese yards completed 358 vessels totaling 10,144,254 gross tonnes in 2025, giving the country a 14 percent share of global completions. Worldwide completions rose 2.8 percent from the previous year to 72,266,913 gross tonnes across 2,920 vessels.
At the end of 2025, the global newbuilding backlog stood at 7,468 vessels totaling 313,443,380 gross tonnes. That was 5.7 percent higher on a gross tonnage basis than at the end of 31 December 2024.
Japanese shipbuilders are also advancing alternative-fuel vessel development, including LNG-fuelled car carriers and domestic ferries. The association said its yards have already delivered, or secured orders for, bulk carriers and tankers able to operate on methanol or ammonia.
