Imabari Shipbuilding Co. said Thursday it will invest around ¥40 billion to build its first new dock in 16 years because the weaker yen has improved its competitiveness.

The dock will be completed by October 2016 in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, to build 11 huge container ships that were ordered recently. These ships will each carry up to 20,000 containers.

"By developing a production base to meet diversified needs in the world, including those for mega-ships, we would like to enhance our international competitiveness," said an official of the shipbuilder based in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture.