Imabari sees demand to increase this year

Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Japan's largest shipbuilder, will boost production this fiscal year as Chinese imports of commodities spurs demand for vessels. Overall gross tonnage output will rise, while the total number of ships completed will decline to 96 from 101, President Yukito Higaki said in a May 25 interview in Imabari, Shikoku. Imabari's Saijo shipyard will more than double production of capesize ships to 11 from five, said Managing Director Yoshinobu Hidaka.
"We're constantly trying to boost output by making our workforce more productive," Higaki said. "It's key to retaining our competitiveness."
Imabari posted a record profit last fiscal year, helped by lower steel costs, Higaki said. He declined to elaborate.