Veranstaltungen & Messen - vdma.org

The target group of the project is primarily small and medium-sized German companies in the maritime industry. The business initiation is carried out at the suggestion and with the expert support of the industry associations VDMA (German Engineering Federation, AG Marine Equipment and Systems) and VSM (German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association).

Japan is one of the largest shipbuilding nations in the world. Currently, nearly a quarter of the world's merchant fleet is built in Japan. Japan has one of the world's longest coastlines at nearly 30,000 kilometers, along which some 990 ports are located. The region around Tokyo is the country's maritime center. In the face of tough competition from South Korea and China, Japanese shipyards are focusing strongly on innovation and quality. International partners who can support the shipyards with state-of-the-art processes or products are highly welcome in Japan. This applies in particular to technologies for low-emission or zero-emission shipping. The three largest Japanese shipping companies, K-Line, MOL and NYK, are also eagerly looking for the best concepts to develop their fleets in a future-proof and low-emission manner. In doing so, they are already drawing on the know-how or products of specialized European companies.

Japan is currently undergoing a transformation from a very tradition-conscious shipbuilding and shipping nation to an innovation engine in the Far East. Many decision-makers within the industry have recognized that only the active search for new technologies and their implementation will ensure survival in the highly competitive shipbuilding market. As a result, there is currently a shift away from the unconditional "Buy-Japanese" to a differentiated purchasing and cooperation policy within the companies. New ideas, products and services, which are not yet available in Japan and help to master the enormous challenges in shipping and shipbuilding, are desperately sought. Especially in the offshore wind sector there is a high market potential in Japan. German engineering is highly regarded in Japan and also in Japanese shipbuilding. German companies that offer solutions for the needs outlined above have great opportunities to enter into serious business or cooperation talks. This is especially true for all areas around offshore wind, energy efficiency, alternative propulsion and digital solutions.

In the run-up to the trip, participating companies will receive specific market and industry information in the form of a target market analysis, which will also provide information on the legal and tax framework as well as practical market entry tips. In Japan, the German companies will present their products, technologies and services to a selected audience of local industry decision-makers.

Individually arranged business meetings with Japanese business partners and high-ranking representatives of ministries and trade associations, as well as company visits to Japanese shipyards and other companies, will create the basis for new collaborations and facilitate future order acquisitions.

The project is part of the market development program for SMEs and is subject to de minimis regulations. The companies' own contribution for participation in the project is between EUR 500 and EUR 1,000 (net), depending on the size of the company. Interested parties can obtain further information from the VDMA, Mr. Hauke Schlegel, ([email protected]) or can register directly with the project implementer SBS via this link: http://germantech.org/geschaftsanbahnung-japan-2022-maritime-wirtschaft-und-schiffbau/

The deadline for registration is May 31, 2022.