According to the data released by the Japan Ship Exporters' Association (JSEA), Japanese new ship export orders in December 2012 decreased by 27.2 percent on tonnage basis compared to the previous month, to 20 ships totaling 656,290 gross tons. In both October and November of last year, Japan's new ship export orders had recorded slight month-on-month decreases. In December 2011, Japan's new ship export orders had totaled 29 ships amounting to 1.2 million gross tons.
As of the end of 2012, Japanese shipbuilders' order books for export totaled 177 ships, with a total gross tonnage of 8.1 million, falling by 9.63 percent year on year on tonnage basis.
Meanwhile, in December Japan delivered 13 ships totaling 637,963 gross tons for export, decreasing from 15 ships totaling 610,631 gross tons recorded in November. In 2012, Japan delivered 337 ships for export, totaling 15 million gross tons, down 8.5 percent compared to 2011.