Japanese Shipyard Expected To Integrate

Three Japanese shipbuilders are expected by the end of the week to sign an agreement to integrate their operations, Reuters reported. According to the report, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., (IHI) and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd. are set to integrate operations in the general commercial vessel market. The combined annual revenue of the their ship businesses in fiscal 1999 totaled 308.5 billion yen, surpassing the 268.9 billion yen earned by leading Japanese shipbuilder, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.