Japan’s Sumitomo HI to concentrate on ship repair and conversion work
Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries is to concentrate on ship repair and conversion activities (Source: Sumitomo HI)
One of Japan’s leading shipyards, Sumitomo Heavy Industries is to cease new construction work when it delivers its last orders and will in future concentrate on the ship repair and conversion sector. At the same time, the yard will move into the offshore wind farm and renewable energy markets.
Sumitomo HI is based in Yokosuka, and is well known for the construction of Aframax tankers, having built 100 of this type of vessel. However, the shipyard will continue to provide after-sales services to the owners of these vessels, as well as drydocking and repair services.
Meanwhile, with the US Government’s recent decision to use Japanese commercial ship repair yards for the drydocking and repair of US Navy surface vessels, instead of returning them all the way back to US shipyards, its repair future does look bright.
Sumitomo HI has one of Tokyo Bay’s largest drydocks for repair and maintenance work – a double opening graving dock, with the north and south gates facing the sea. This drydock measures 580m x 80m and features an intermediate dock gate, allowing for the repair of multiple vessels simultaneously.
The yard also holds a Master Shiprepair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy and regularly provides repair services to the US 7th Fleet, including the drydocking of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Sumitomo HI also has an agreement with the US Army for work on its vessels in Japan, which includes its large landing craft.
