Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding is consolidating two of its domestic subsidiaries in a bid to sharpen its competitive edge in the small and medium-sized vessel sector.
Effective September 12025, Tsuneishi Miho Shipyard and Niigata Shipbuilding & Repair will be merged into a single entity that retains the Tsuneishi Miho Shipyard name. The restructured yard will be headquartered in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, and led by current Miho president Akito Danjo.
The Hiroshima-based parent group said the move is aimed at “optimising the allocation of management resources” and improving organisational agility through streamlined decision-making. The merged entity will also consolidate technical know-how and ship repair capabilities, allowing Tsuneishi to respond more nimbly to market demand in Japan and abroad.
Niigata Shipbuilding, which has operated as part of the Tsuneishi group since 2003, is one of Japan’s few facilities capable of handling repair and construction work for coastguard vessels, ferries and coastal general cargo ships. Its integration into Miho brings those specialist capabilities under a unified management umbrella.
While Tsuneishi remains best known internationally for its bulk carrier output—particularly from its overseas bases in the Philippines and China—it has maintained a significant presence in Japan’s smaller ship segments. The group has signalled increased interest in these markets amid growing demand for low-emission shortsea shipping and next-generation coastal tonnage.
The merger announcement follows closely on the heels of Tsuneishi’s take over of Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, which has now been rebranded Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay.
