Industrial Sunset. April 2025.

Marugame, Shikoku, Japan.

4/4/2025. Work progresses on my 16 Knots project.  I recently spent a couple weeks exploring the Seto Inland Sea region in Western Japan.  This gorgeous area is dotted with countless islands and is home to dozens of shipyards.  Imabari Shipbuilding operates several large yards throughout the region.  Pictured here is Imabari’s Marugame Yard, a location I’ve been wanting to see for quite some time.

As impressive as Japan’s shipbuilding industry is, it’s facing an uncertain future.  Competition and price undercutting from China have resulted in substantial marketshare decline for Japan and Korea.  This, combined with uncertainty in global trade and the world order have created substantial headwinds.