Japan’s new ship export orders continue to fall in February

According to the data released by the Japan Ship Exporters' Association (JSEA), Japanese new ship export orders in February this year decreased 68.25 percent on tonnage basis compared to the previous month, to five ships totaling 167,470 gross tons, consisting of bulk carriers. February constitutes the fourth consecutive month of month-on-month decrease in Japan's new ship export orders. In February 2012, Japan's new ship export orders totaled 11 ships totaling 399,376 gross tons.
 
At the end of the first two months of the current year, Japanese shipbuilders' order books for export totaled 15 ships, with a total of 694,995 gross tons, falling by 33.8 percent as compared to the same period last year.
 
Meanwhile, in February of the current year Japan delivered 22 ships totaling 1.1 million gross tons for export, decreasing from 41 ships totaling 1.86 million gross tons recorded in January this year. In January-February this year, Japan delivered 63 ships for export, totaling 3 million gross tons, up 5.1 percent on tonnage basis compared to the first two months of 2012.