According to the Shipbuilders Association of Japan (SAJ), its members' consumption of ship plates is predicted to be at 3.03 million tons in the fiscal year ended on March 31st, 2014, falling by 11% year on year. It's known that SAJ's members accounted for 90% of the Japanese shipbuilders. However, the Japanese shipbuilders have better sales this year as the depreciated Japanese Yen has helped them become more competitive with the Korean and Chinese shipbuilders, according to Japan Ship Exporters' Association (JSEA). According to data released by JSEA, the Japanese shipbuilders' received orders for vessels totaled 2.72 million gross tons in March, soaring substantially by 143.3% year on year.
Source:
http://www.yieh.com/2.2.01.01stainlesssteelnews.aspx?no=63978&division=A2
