Japan's Shipbuilding Revival Creates Opportunities for Korean Suppliers; Korea-Japan Export Consultations Total $82 Million

Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Technology Exchange Held in Kobe
Korean Firms Hold 167 Export Consultations Worth $82 Million
Seek Cooperation in Four Areas, Including Eco-Friendly Fuels and Smart Ships

Japan is moving to revive its shipbuilding industry, with public and private sectors jointly investing 8.4 trillion won (1 trillion yen) by 2035 to double annual shipbuilding output to 18 million gross tons. This is expected to expand opportunities for Korean shipbuilding equipment companies to enter Japan's supply chains.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said on November 1 that it had jointly hosted the 2026 Korea-Japan Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Technology Exchange with the Busan Shipbuilding Equipment Industry Cooperative and the Gyeongnam Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Cooperative on October 27 and 28 in Kobe, a hub of Japan's shipbuilding industry.

About 40 Korean shipbuilding and marine equipment companies and 55 representatives from Japanese shipyards, shipowners, power-generation equipment companies, and other organizations attended the event to discuss supply chain cooperation.

The Japanese government is expanding investment in facilities to revive its shipbuilding industry, including resuming construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, which had been suspended since 2019. After designating shipbuilding as one of 17 priority investment sectors, the government approved eight investment projects in September under its Shipbuilding Revitalization Fund, including the introduction of automated equipment and the construction of new docks. The projects total 7.5 trillion won (900 billion yen), with government support of up to 311 billion yen.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in cooperation with the Gyeongnam Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Cooperative, held the 2026 Korea-Japan Shipbuilding and Marine Equipment Technology Exchange in Kobe, a hub of Japan's shipbuilding industry, for two days starting October 27. The photo shows the event. KOTRA.

Meanwhile, Japan's shipbuilding workforce and supply chain base are weakening. According to the Maritime Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of shipbuilding workers fell from 91,000 in 2016 to 77,000 in 2025, a decline of about 15% over 10 years. Analysts say demand for cooperation with Korean companies, which have strong technological capabilities and delivery competitiveness, is growing as domestic supply chains for key equipment and materials also weaken.

At the exchange, KOTRA organized anchor companies and parts and equipment partners into teams across four fields, reflecting demand from Japanese companies and the strengths of Korean firms. Moving beyond consultations focused on individual products, participants discussed cooperation with Japanese buyers on an integrated-solutions basis.

The four fields were eco-friendly propulsion and fuel systems; carbon neutrality and renewable energy; digital shipbuilding and smart ships; and engines and land-based power-generation equipment.

On the first day, a briefing on the Japanese shipbuilding market and a Korea-Japan networking dinner helped companies from both countries better understand one another. The following day, Korean anchor companies gave technical presentations in each field based on materials exchanged in advance, followed by supply chain cooperation consultations involving K-One Team groups.

Japanese buyers showed interest in alternative-fuel supply systems for LNG, methanol, and ammonia; onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS); autonomous navigation and ship-monitoring solutions; engine accessories; and power-generation equipment for data centers.

The event generated 167 export consultations worth a total of $82 million and resulted in the signing of one memorandum of understanding (MOU).

KOTRA plans to visit shipyards in western Japan in November and December, focusing on promising projects identified at the exchange, and continue follow-up consultations, online meetings, and hands-on support.

"As Japan accelerates the revival of its manufacturing industries, including semiconductors and shipbuilding, through public-private cooperation, demand for collaboration with Korean materials, parts, and equipment companies is growing," said Kim Gwanmuk, KOTRA Executive Vice President and Head of the Economic Security and Trade Cooperation Division. "We will do our utmost to identify the specific cooperation needs of Japanese companies and help Korean materials, parts, and equipment companies achieve success in entering new supply chains."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.