Imabari Shipbuilding has completed the acquisition of a 30% stake in Japan Marine United (JMU) as part of the two Japanese companies’ new business pact.

The move adds to the expansion of the Higaki-family controlled Imabari shipbuilding empire over the last two decades at a time when Japan’s shipbuilding industry is generally regarded to be in decline.

Imabari and JMU combined to establish the joint-venture design, procurement and marketing company Nihon Shipyard from the start of this year.