Shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. plans to construct gas carriers abroad as it strives to lower costs and take back market share from Korean rivals.
At present currency levels, the company's Chinese ventures are more cost competitive than Korean shipyards, Akio Murakami, head of Kawasaki Heavy's shipbuilding and offshore division, said in an interview in Tokyo.
"Our Chinese venture, Nacks, has built a variety of vessels so far, and LNG and LPG carriers are the only area that has yet to be addressed," Murakami said in the June 13 interview, referring to liquefied natural gas and petroleum carriers. "Once we get the first contract and deliver a quality vessel, many orders will follow."