The shipbuilding industry had a weak start to 2019 with exports from China, Japan and South Korea having fallen by a combined 20.2% year over year to $5.71 billion. That followed a 2.1% increase in the prior three months on average but continues a longer-term decline in exports. A 17.9% drop in exports from South Korea may be one driver behind the proposed consolidation between Daewoo Shipbuilding and Hyundai Heavy. China saw a 10.8% drop in exports even after new vessel orders recovered. The outlook for the industry will remain challenging though given shipping operators will need to di...