Russia-Japan Shipbuilding and Repair Seminar

The fourth Russian-Japanese seminar ‘Сooperation in shipbuilding and ship repair’ is to take place September 4-5, 2014. For the first time, the annual event is to be held in St. Petersburg - the maritime capital of Russia . The event is being organized by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association (JSMEA).

RS Chief Operating Officer Pavel Shikhov said, "Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which is one of the leading international classification societies, with over 50 branch offices throughout the world, traditionally acts as a type of bridge between domestic and foreign companies. With Russian roots, RS has an interest in ensuring that domestic shipyards and shipowners have full information on the possibilities offered by leading international producers of materials and maritime equipment and on accessible technologies. On the other hand, leading foreign producers, including in Japan, are eager to cooperate with Russian companies and see the Register as an organisation that can help them understand the requirements for maritime equipment being supplied to Russia, and also its certification procedures."

Trade and economic relations between Russia and Japan have been developing dynamically. Bilateral trade reached an all-time high in 2013 of more than $33 billion. The addition of new ideas and areas of cooperation in the maritime sector of both countries may have a positive impact on this growth.

The Russian-Japanese seminars organized by RS jointly with JSMEA are a forum for exchanging professional experience and looking at possibilities for cooperation between Russian and Japanese companies in the field of shipbuilding and repair.

“The sphere of interest of Japanese companies in developing business relations with the Russian classification society is concentrated both in the area of materials and equipment production and in the area of ship repair,” Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association Chairman Motoyoshi Nakashima said. The seriousness of the Japanese side’s intentions is indicated by support for the organization of the joint event from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The first three seminars, which were held in 2012-2013, took place in Tokyo and Vladivostok. These seminars indicated a mutual interest and also the need to expand the geographical range of the seminars. The interest of business circles in Japan in using the Northern Sea Route as an alternative transport corridor is an additional stimulant to equipment producers to cooperate with Russian companies experienced with ice class ships. In 2014 it was decided to hold the seminar in St. Petersburg where, according to the Committee for Industrial Policy and Innovations of St. Petersburg, up to 80% of the Russian maritime industry is concentrated, including companies specializing in manufacturing unique ice class ships.

During the seminar, participants will be able to meet with Japanese equipment producers, including Yanmar, Fuji Trading, Akasaka Diesels, Nakashima propeller, Kemel, Daihatsu Diesel.

Participation in the seminar is free of charge.