The US Navy is expanding its ship maintenance capabilities in Japan to dramatically reduce vessel downtime, offering new opportunities for businesses at DSEI Japan 2025.

 

A new partnership announced in January 2024 between the US Navy and Japanese shipyards is reshaping naval maintenance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s a collaboration that aims to dramatically reduce vessel downtime and enhance fleet readiness through comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work conducted in Japanese facilities. 

Currently, US Navy ships maintain essential operations at Japanese bases in Yokosuka and Sasebo, however, any major overhauls must be returned to the US, resulting in extended downtimes that can stretch into months or even years. The partnership holds particular importance for maintaining effective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific as Japan hosts the US Navy's 7th Fleet, the only continuously forward-deployed carrier strike group, which commands up to 70 warships. 

The Japan-US initiative also addresses critical operational challenges, as US shipyards currently face a maintenance backlog of up to 4,000 days and nearly USD1.8 billion in backlogged repairs to service warships. 

By enabling maintenance work in Japan, US facilities can focus on building US ships – vital considering China's growing naval fleet, now at 370 vessels, which has surpassed the US Navy in size.

The Ship Repair Council Japan is part of this MRO, bringing together the US Navy, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and private companies from both nations to coordinate this expanding maintenance programme. It will build on successful precedents like the previous servicing of the USS Milius by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 

For companies in the naval maintenance and maritime defence sectors, this MRO partnership is a significant opportunity. Japanese shipyards are poised for expansion, and doors are opening for technology transfer and shared expertise.

Future developments in naval MRO

The US-Japan initiative is expected to expand beyond basic maintenance to include full-fledged repair work on destroyers. 

There is also movement towards an integration of common systems and parts between the US Navy and JMSDF, supported by the newly established Forum on Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition and Sustainment. This drive for system standardisation will streamline maintenance procedures, reduce costs and create more efficient supply chains across the Indo-Pacific. 

The US Department of Defense's Regional Sustainment Framework provides the structural foundation for these promising developments. By creating a distributed network of maintenance facilities throughout the Indo-Pacific, the framework aims to optimise regional MRO capabilities. 

Japanese shipyards will play a pivotal role in this network, offering strategic advantages for fleet readiness and regional deterrence.

 

Join the maritime ecosystem at DSEI Japan 2025

This collaboration aligns with Japan's maritime cluster – an ecosystem of shipbuilding, machinery, equipment and shipping industries supported by both research and financial institutions. 

Representatives from this ecosystem will gather at DSEI Japan 2025, where you will have the opportunity to engage directly with them. The event’s VIP delegation programme offers additional advantages: before the event, exhibitors can select which type of VIPs they want to meet and request specific meetings based on their product or service offerings. 

During the event, participants have access to the VIP programming team for updates on attendance and can view their calendar of meetings with both procurement and operational heads. These focused networking opportunities, combined with the full spectrum of expertise present at DSEI Japan 2025, create an ideal environment for exploring collaborative opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.

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