【By Liu Bai, Observer Net】China's shipbuilding is becoming an important partner for global shipowners in their pursuit of green development, which has triggered anxiety among Japanese counterparts who feel left behind.

The "Nikkei Shimbun" reported on November 24 that Japanese shipping industry professionals have called for the Japanese industry to strengthen cooperation and focus on the research and development of next-generation fuel-powered ships, such as hydrogen and ammonia, to address the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s 2050 net-zero emissions target for the shipping industry and the competitive pressure from China in the field of green ships.

Japanese shipbuilding and shipping companies have jointly established the "Green Ship Design and Planning Center (GSC)" to target the R&D of next-generation green power ships. Toshikazu Mishima, the representative director of GSC and former president of Japan Marine United (JMU), stated that Japan must prepare for the R&D of next-generation fuel-powered ships.

This October, a special meeting originally intended to pass a global framework for net-zero emissions in the shipping industry experienced a dramatic turn. Due to strong opposition from countries such as the United States and Saudi Arabia, the IMO decided to delay the vote on the net-zero framework by one year. This "extension" is not just a procedural delay, but also a postponement of the global shipping decarbonization process.

However, Mishima pointed out: "The wave of decarbonization is unstoppable, and ship owners and shipping companies are all actively pushing forward related work."

In other words, Japanese shipbuilding companies need to be fully prepared.

On September 22, the world's first 9,300 CEU (standard car equivalent) methanol dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off ship "Gangrong" arrived at Tianjin Port, where it was moored for vehicle loading and green methanol refueling operations. IC Photo

Mishima frankly said, "China has changed its course," aiming at the R&D of next-generation fuel-powered ships. He added that China is actively promoting relevant R&D projects and building supply chains to prepare for the implementation of IMO measures, while Japan has lagged in these areas.

Historical experiences have also sounded the alarm for Japan.

Mishima said, "During the transition from coal to oil, British shipbuilding companies lost their leading position and fell into decline due to insufficient capital investment and technological R&D."

Given that the shipping industry is currently transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative fuels, Mishima called on Japanese shipbuilding companies to promote technological R&D through collaboration.

"Without the concept of a 'Japanese team,' we cannot win the international competition for alternative fuel ships," he said.

In recent years, due to the cost advantages of Chinese and South Korean competitors, several major Japanese shipbuilding companies have been forced to exit the market, and the industry size has continued to shrink.

Mishima said, "Although the scale of Japan's shipbuilding industry reaches 2 trillion yen (approximately 90.536 billion yuan), its value differs significantly from other manufacturing enterprises in terms of national defense and economic security."

Japan lacks natural resources and highly depends on imports for key materials such as oil, coal, liquefied natural gas (LNG), iron ore, and grain.

Based on this situation, Mishima emphasized: "We must build our own ships to transport these resources; otherwise, we can only passively accept the ship prices and delivery cycles proposed by other countries."

Mishima pointed out that as part of economic security policy, Japan should manufacture LNG carriers, very large crude oil tankers (VLCCs), bulk carriers for transporting coal and other bulk cargo, as well as ships for transporting iron ore and grain within the country.

To enhance domestic shipbuilding capabilities, he emphasized the importance of R&D, stating that the industry's competitiveness depends on upstream aspects of the shipbuilding process.

Regarding the moves of China, Russia, and the U.S. to participate in resource development in the Arctic region, Mishima said, "Even if the U.S. intends to build Arctic research vessels and Arctic resource exploration ships, its shipbuilding industry does not have the corresponding strength."

He believes that to gain international voice and resource exploitation rights, Japan also needs to participate in the Arctic development process.

Currently, the global maritime industry is at a crossroads of green transformation. Chinese shipbuilders, with high market sensitivity and rapid response capability, have rapidly risen in the field of green power ships, accelerating the global shipping industry's green transformation.

Data from the China Shipbuilding Industry Association show that by June this year, China had secured nearly 70% of the global green ship orders and achieved full coverage of mainstream ship types. The Shanghai Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Yard received green ship orders accounting for over 80% this year, the highest level in five years. The ship types cover container ships, LNG carriers, etc., and the fuel has expanded from liquefied natural gas to methanol, liquid hydrogen, etc. High-end and green features have become the new business card of Chinese shipbuilding.

According to Li Yanqing, Secretary-General of the China Shipbuilding Industry Association, by the end of 2024, the share of China's shipyards in the international market for newly ordered green-powered ships (including those with alternative fuel reserves) reached as high as 78.5%. In the first half of 2025, this proportion remained above two-thirds. This fully demonstrates the keen awareness of Chinese shipyards in following market demands.

He pointed out that Chinese shipbuilding companies' rapid response in green ships has given them a leading advantage in order shares in a short time. The green transformation of Chinese shipyards is an active choice rather than a passive response, reflecting a deep understanding of the requirements for high-quality development in the industry.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576509179301478964/

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