Namura Shipbuilding is proceeding with plans for a new large construction dock in Japan as the country moves to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity through a government-backed investment programme.

The planned facility would be the first major shipbuilding dock developed in Japan since Imabari Shipbuilding completed a 610 m dock at Marugame in 2017.

The Japanese government has set a target of doubling annual shipbuilding capacity to 18 million gt by 2035. Around ¥1 trillion ($6.8 billion) in public and private investment is envisaged over the next decade.

A shipbuilding revitalisation fund is supporting dock expansion, cranes, automation, robotics and other productivity-related equipment.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has identified shipbuilding as one of 17 strategic growth sectors. The government is also promoting regional shipbuilding clusters that include new dock infrastructure.

At its main Imari yard in Saga Prefecture, Namura Shipbuilding already operates a 450 m by 70 m construction dock using a semi-tandem building system. The company has also been investing in the yard to improve its ability to handle larger and more complex vessels.

A separate upgrade programme at Imari began earlier this year and is scheduled to continue through fiscal 2028. Supported by government funding, the work is intended to improve construction efficiency for zero-emission and environmentally friendly ships.

The programme is expected to raise production capacity at the yard by around 20%.

Japan held a leading position in global shipbuilding during the second half of the 20th century before losing market share to South Korea and later China. The current investment programme is aimed at expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity.