Japan’s new ship export orders dropped sharply by 52.7% in April compared to March, according to data released by the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association (JSEA).
In April, Japanese shipbuilders secured export orders for 19 ships, all carriers, totaling 627,450 gross tons, down from 24 ships totaling 1.33 million gross tons in March.
Despite the monthly drop, Japan received 58 new export ship orders in the first four months of 2025, amounting to 2.78 million gross tons, representing a 21% decline year-on-year.
Ship deliveries also fell in April. Japan exported 11 ships totaling 436,396 gross tons, compared to 23 ships with a combined 962,406 gross tons delivered in March.
However, for the January–April period, Japan delivered 68 ships for export, totaling 2.96 million gross tons, marking a 3.2% increase year-on-year.
The figures reflect ongoing volatility in the global shipbuilding market, influenced by fluctuating demand, rising material costs, and economic uncertainty.
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