Japanese export ship orders increased by just over 70% to 471,600t in December last year, based on year-on-year figures.

In 2008, orders fell by about 91.1% compared to the same time a year earlier, according to the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association.

The association said Japanese shipbuilders received orders for seven export ships, a total of 189,852 compensated gross tons in December last year.

In 2009, Japanese export ship orders plummeted 70.6% from 2008 to 111 export ships of 5,711,710t.

Last month, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation signed a general agreement of $110m to finance the export of ships.