History and evolution of shipbuilding
We continue to provide ships with unique characteristics to our customers around the world, valuing our interaction with the region where the former Uraga Shipyard and the current Yokosuka Shipyard were founded.

Origin

1897

Established Uraga Dock Co.

After the arrival of Perry, the Edo Shogunate change the policy "forbidden building of large ships," Japan's first dry dock was built in Uraga. No.1 dry dock, built by the Uraga Dock, was completed in 1899 and merchant ships, warships, and railway and passenger ferry were built in Uraga.
It is valuable as an existing brick dry dog and it is donated to Yokosuka City by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. in March 2021. It is expected to be useful use as a heritage of industrial modernization.

1897

Dawn

1924

Delivered the "Seikan Renraku Sen Shoho Maru".

"Shoho Maru" is the first of four vessels built as railway and passenger ferry in Japan. Uraga Dock built two vessels, one is "Shoho Maru" and another is "Hiran Maru".
Demand for both freight and passenger service on the Seikan route increased dramatically due to the shift of domestic cargo transport to railways in World War I and the increase in cargo volume due to economic expansion after the war.
In order to meet the demand, the vessel was designed and built with increasing railroad freight cars load for direct operation all over Japan and passenger transportation capacity.
On July 14, 1945, the ship sank in Aomori Port due to an air raid by U.S. aircraft and her service was finished.

1924

1962

Merged with Tamashima Diesel Industries and changed the company name to Uraga Heavy Industries

In 1948, Tamashima Diesel Industries was established in Okayama Prefecture as a subsidiary of Uraga Dockyard and started manufacturing marine engines. This business continued until 1988 and main product was diesel engines licensed by Sulzer. As of 2020, it has been taken over by IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd..

1962

1969

Established Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Sumitomo Machinery Co., Ltd., which had its origins in machinery repair works at the Besshi Copper Mine, and Uraga Heavy Industries are combined into Sumitomo Heavy Industries,, a machinery and shipbuilding manufacturer.
After the establishment of the company, large-scale factories for heavy industries such as the Oshima Shipyard and Toyo Factory (currently the Saijo Factory of the Ehime Works of Sumitomo Heavy Industries,) were opened.

1969

Evolution

1971

Oppama Shipyard established (current Yokosuka Shipyard)

For build larger merchant ships in Tokyo Bay, brand new shipyard was built in Oppama in Yokosuka City, the same city as the Uraga Shipyard.
Although there were some problems such as the delay in the start of construction, the Oppama Shipyard successfully started operations and delivered the first ship built at Oppama Shipyard, named the "Pacific Maru".

Oppama Shipyard under construction
Oppama Shipyard at the time of its foundation

1971

Pashifik Maru

1984

Launch of the training sailing ship Nippon Maru

She was built as a successor to the original Nippon Maru. She was a first large-scale sailing vessel fully designed and built in Japan and is still in use as a training ship as of 2020.

1984

1997

Launch of Practice boat "Seiun Maru"

She was built as a training ship for maritime education institutions and was the successor of the large training ship the first "Seiun Maru".
Their Imperial Highness Crown Prince and Princess, current their Imperial Majesties Emperor and Empress, were attended at launching ceremony and cut the rope.

1997

2002

Ice Super 1A "M/T TEMPERA" receives Ship of the Year Award from The Society of Naval Architects of Japan

The world's first double-acting tanker (forward during normal propulsion and backward during icebreaking) allows the tanker to navigate in icy waters without a support of an icebreaker. The electric pod-type propulsion system provides high output for both forward and reverse propulsion.

2002

Current

2003

Foundation of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine&Engineering Co.,Ltd.

Our company is spun off from Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

2003

2007

Headquarters moved to current location.

In line with the relocation of Sumitomo Heavy Industries' headquarters, we have also relocated our headquarters.

2007

2012

Delivery of Suezmax tanker "Karvounis"

Suezmax tanker is a ship type that is expected to grow in the future, and since there are only a limited number of shipyards that can build it, we have developed it as the second pillar of our business along with Aframax tanker.

2012

2019

Delivery of Aframax tanker "Alfa Finlandia

The vessel is equipped with a denitrification system (SCR) that complies with the latest NOx (nitrogen oxide) emission regulations, and has been delivered to Lundqvist Rederierna, which is the one of our partner shipowner.

2019