TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan) and TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan) are pleased to announce that TSUNEISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES (CEBU), INC. (hereinafter “THI”), the Philippine shipbuilding base of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, and TSUNETETSU (CEBU) INC. (hereinafter “TCI”), the Philippine base of TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS, have collaborated to establish and commence operations at a new acid pickling plant in Cebu Province, the Philippines.

The plant was constructed by THI on its premises in Cebu Province, and TCI is responsible for its operation and acid pickling work. This has enabled the two companies to establish a system in which stainless-steel piping for alternative-fuel vessels is handled consistently from fabrication to acid pickling at the Philippine base.

< Meeting the Demand for Alternative-Fuel Vessels >
TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING is promoting the construction of vessels utilising alternative fuels, such as methanol. In these vessels, stainless-steel piping with high corrosion resistance is used in fuel supply systems and other areas.
TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS handles the fabrication of such piping and, in collaboration with the Group’s overseas bases, has been developing the manufacturing structure at each base.
In addition to high-quality TIG welding, the manufacturing of stainless-steel piping requires an “acid pickling” process to remove oxide scale and contamination generated after welding, thereby enhancing corrosion resistance.
Previously at the Philippine base, acid pickling for steel pipes was outsourced to local vendors, while stainless-steel piping had to be processed in Japan and shipped to the Philippines, as no local service providers could handle its acid pickling. With the establishment of this new plant, the entire process from fabrication to acid pickling of stainless-steel piping can now be completed at the Philippine base, shortening lead times and establishing a stable supply system. The plant has an acid pickling capacity of up to approximately 60 tonnes per month for stainless-steel piping, and up to approximately 100 tonnes per month for the entire plant, including steel pipes.
Furthermore, the Philippine base is the first within the shipbuilding segment of the TSUNEISHI Group to possess acid pickling equipment.

< Strengthening the Piping Production System for Alternative-Fuel Vessels Through Domestic and Overseas Collaboration >
■ Manufacturing Structure of the TSUNEISHI Group
TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS operates a stainless-steel piping factory in Japan. In addition to manufacturing piping for alternative-fuel vessels, it is also engaged in training and certifying TIG welding technicians. Personnel exchanges between bases are also being actively promoted, with Filipino staff who acquired skills in Japan currently playing active roles at TCI upon returning to their home country.
In addition, during the startup of stainless-steel piping production at TSUNETETSU (ZHOUSHAN) INC. (hereinafter “TZI”) in China and TCI in the Philippines, the companies collaborated on sharing quality standards, introducing equipment, and establishing production procedures, thereby advancing the construction of a global production structure.
At TZI, a piping factory was set up to support the construction of methanol dual-fuelled container carriers, with a complete manufacturing structure that includes pressure testing and flushing (internal pipe cleaning).
■ Improving Shipbuilding Efficiency Through a Stable Supply Scheme
With the commencement of operations at the acid pickling plant in the Philippines, THI will be able to secure a more stable supply of the stainless-steel piping it requires. This is expected to improve shipbuilding efficiency.

< Future Outlook >
Moving forward, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS will continue to strengthen their component manufacturing base and build an efficient supply structure for alternative-fuel vessels, fulfilling customer needs while contributing to the low-carbon transition and decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

■TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.
As the anchor company of the TSUNEISHI Group, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING primarily engages in shipbuilding and repairs. With manufacturing bases in Japan (Tsuneishi Factory, the HQ), the Philippines, and China, the company builds bulk carriers, container carriers, tankers, etc. Its shipbuilding business generated revenue of JPY 263.0 billion in FY2025.
Head Office: 1083 Tsuneishi, Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan
Representative: OKUMURA Sachio (Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer)
Website: https://www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english/

■TSUNEISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES (CEBU), INC.
TSUNEISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES (CEBU), INC. is the Philippine shipbuilding base of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING established in 1994 in Balamban, Cebu, Philippines. Equipped with two shipbuilding berths and one building dock, it mainly builds bulk carriers ranging from 30,000-ton to 180,000-ton classes.
Head Office: West Cebu Estate-SEZ, Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu 6041 Philippines
Representative: SETO Yasuaki, President
Website: https://thici.com/

■TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS Co., Ltd.
TSUNEISHI IRON WORKS produces various outfitting products, including hull blocks and stern frames, and is responsible for supplying them to TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and its overseas local companies in the shipbuilding business, as well as for outfitting work. In addition to the shipbuilding business, the company also produces onshore structures such as floating piers and bridges.
Head Office: 1083 Tsuneishi, Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan
Representative: SHIMOMURA Naoya, President
Website: https://www.tsuneishi.co.jp/iron-w/

■TSUNETETSU (CEBU) INC.
TSUNETETSU (CEBU) INC. is a TSUNEISHI Group company located in Cebu, Philippines. It manufactures various marine piping, outfitting parts, and machined products, mainly supplying products for TSUNEISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES (CEBU), INC.
Head Office: West Cebu Estate-SEZ, Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu 6041 Philippines
Representative: KOBAYAKAWA Takayuki, President

■TSUNETETSU (ZHOUSHAN) INC.
TSUNETETSU (ZHOUSHAN) INC. is a TSUNEISHI Group company based in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China. It manufactures various marine piping, outfitting items, and machined products, primarily supplying products for TSUNEISHI GROUP (ZHOUSHAN) SHIPBUILDING INC., while also handling engine room outfitting.
Head Office: Retiao Village, Xiushan Island, Daishan County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, P. R. of China
Representative: SAKANE Tadanori, President

For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Dept.
TSUNEISHI GROUP CORPORATION
Email: pr@tsuneishi.com