Japanese Shipbuilders Tour Coast

A Japanese shipbuilding delegation of government and industry officials recently toured Alabama’s coast as part of a mission to expand shipbuilding and defense capabilities in Japan and the U.S., Made in Alabama reported. Alabama Department of Commerce officials, including Secretary Ellen McNair, and leaders from local communities participated in the U.S. International Trade Administration-led excursion, which also included Florida and Mississippi. The tour was part of the ongoing collaboration under the U.S.-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation Regarding Shipbuilding, which calls for expanded shipbuilding capacity in both nations by aligning investment, procurement, workforce and technology initiatives. “This visit provided an opportunity for our Japanese counterparts to see firsthand what makes Alabama a leader in maritime and defense industries,” McNair said. “The Alabama coastline is home to a globally competitive shipbuilding ecosystem—supporting both commercial and naval vessel construction. In the Mobile region alone, more than 16,000 workers are part of the maritime workforce within a short drive, supporting everything from advanced shipbuilding to repair and logistics.” The U.S. Department of Commerce will now work with interagency partners and Japanese counterparts to identify potential foreign direct investment opportunities resulting from the mission.