Boom time for Japanese shipbuilders

Orders for vessels received by Japanese shipbuilders more than tripled in January to a combined gross tonnage of 1.3 million tons, up 226.7 % against the previous year’s 398,640 tons, the Japan Ship Exporters Association said Tuesday. Comparative orders received last month were for 27 bulk cargo ships with a combined gross tonnage of 1.26 million tons and four oil tankers with a combined gross tonnage of 39,700 tons, the association said.