According to the data released by the Japan Ship Exporters' Association (JSEA), Japanese new export ship orders in February this year decreased 38.6 percent on tonnage basis compared to the previous month, to 11 ships totaling 399,376 gross tons, consisting of one general cargo ship, one tanker and nine bulk carriers. In February 2011, Japan's new export ship orders totaled 25 ships totaling 1.27 million gross tons.
At the end of the first two months of the current year, Japanese shipbuilders' order books for export totaled 24 ships, with a total gross tonnage of 1.05 million gross tons, falling by 48.1 percent as compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, in February, Japan delivered 27 ships totaling 1 million gross tons for export, decreasing from 42 ships totaling 1.8 million gross tons recorded in January this year. In January-February this year, Japan delivered 69 ships for export, totaling 2.85 million gross tons, down 14.5 percent compared to 2011.