Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd have signed a three-year technological collaboration agreement on container carriers.

Recognising both the international marine transportation rules for reducing the environmental impact of container shipping, as well as increasing consumer consciousness about the environmental footprint of the goods they purchase, the two companies will focus on the development of energy-saving vessels.

MHI is a pioneer in Japan’s container carrier construction industry and has already developed two environmentally-friendly technologies, the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication Sytem (MALS) and use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Imabari Shipbuilding is Japan’s largest shipbuilder, and one of few with the capacity to construct large-size container vessels.

The collaboration agreement means MHI and Imabari will be capable of flexibly accommodating large bulk orders and hope to lead the market with competitive costs and development capabilities.